2026 News and events

Wales is set to take centre stage on the global culinary map over the coming days as it hosts the prestigious Worldchefs Congress & Expo 2026, the first time in its 98-year history that the event has been held anywhere in the UK. Taking place at the ICC Wales in Newport over four days (16-19 May), the biennial event will bring together 1,000 chefs, food innovators and hospitality professionals from 110 countries. Delivered in partnership...

Summer Fancy Food Show Exhibitor Invite The Summer Fancy Food Show brings together thousands of buyers, retailers, foodservice professionals, and media from across the United States and beyond. It is widely recognised as a key gateway into the US specialty food and drink market. By participating, you will benefit from: A cost-effective means of visiting the USA Be part of a collective Welsh presence under the Cymru/Wales banner Network and engage with key businesses and...

The Welsh Government Sgiliau Bwyd a Diod Cymru / Food & Drink Skills Wales programme (the programme) is celebrating significant achievements to date, having now engaged 10,073 students across Wales and worked collaboratively with 369 schools to inspire the next generation of food and drink talent. Kate Rees, Welsh Government Sgiliau Bwyd a Diod Cymru / Welsh Food & Drink Skills Wales Programme Manager said: “The engagement intervention of the programme has been exceptional. Through...

A new report from IGD (Food and drink workforce – a quiet crisis building?, February 2026) highlights a “quiet crisis” building within the UK food and drink workforce, warning that the sector will require a dramatic step‑change in technical, digital and scientific capability by 2030. With the system becoming increasingly automated, data‑driven and sustainability‑focused, the report states that many of the essential future skills “do not exist at scale today,” calling early investment “critical” to...

The Welsh brewing industry is set for a significant step forward in technical skills development as the Welsh Government Drinks Cluster, working in partnership with FDQ and MEDR Cymru, secures funding to roll out the new Level 4 Brewing Diploma. This advanced qualification will support the development of highly skilled brewers across Wales and strengthen the sector’s long-term competitiveness. Welcoming the announcement, the Welsh Government’s Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and...

Wales has once again taken centre stage on the global food and drink scene following a successful recent presence at Foodex Japan 2026, at the Tokyo Big Sight. Foodex Japan is one of Asia’s largest and most influential food and drink exhibitions, attracting more than 70,000 buyers, distributors, retailers and foodservice leaders from across Japan. The event serves as an unparalleled platform for producers to showcase innovation, strengthen commercial relationships and unlock new export opportunities...

The Welsh Government has launched a national campaign to help bring together every part of its food system, from the farmers, growers and fishers who produce food from Welsh land and waters to the manufacturers, retailers, communities and families who buy, cook and share it. 'Rooted in Wales' is a call to collective action: a recognition of the relationship Wales has with its food system and creating lasting change where everyone has their part to...

Seven Welsh food and drink businesses will travel to Dublin from 23–25 March as part of a focused export trade visit aimed at securing new retail and foodservice listings in Ireland. The delegation, specialising in bakery and chocolate, will meet senior buyers from leading Irish and international organisations including Musgrave Group (SuperValu, Donnybrook Fair), Tesco Ireland, Marks & Spencer Ireland, Sysco Ireland and Aramark. Ireland remains a key near-market for Welsh producers, offering strong cultural...

The Tasty Careers Schools Challenge 2026, an exciting competition designed to spark creativity and teamwork among pupils across Wales, has once again showcased the incredible talent and innovation of young people in the food and drink sector. The Tasty Careers School Challenge, delivered by the National Skills Academy for Food & Drink (NSAFD) Wales in partnership with Welsh Government Sgiliau Bwyd a Diod Cymru / Food & Drink Skills Wales programme and Careers Wales, aims...

Food & Drink Wales will bring the very best of Welsh food and drink to the heart of London with a special consumer showcase at the iconic Spitalfields Market over St David’s Day weekend, taking place on Saturday February 28 th - Sunday March 1 st. Set within one of London’s most historic food destinations, the market will feature a dozen Welsh food and drink producers, and will celebrate Wales’ position as modern food nation...