News

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...

Welsh Government support via Cywain Accelerator Programme is driving trade-ready start-ups toward new markets Wales’ newest food and drink businesses are making their mark with products that fuse craft, creativity and commercial ambition. Many of these were on display in October 2025 at Blas Cymru / Taste Wales, where buyers from across the world visited a fantastic platform for these emerging brands to tell their story and secure orders. From bold new drinks to smart...

Wales will put its world‑class food and drink sector centre stage at Gulfood 2026, the world’s largest annual food and beverage trade exhibition, taking place in Dubai from 26–30 January 2026. This year is its biggest delegation to date, with 19 companies representing the diverse range of Welsh products currently being exported to the region. Supported by the Welsh Government, there will be a mixture of established exporters and those new to the market, all...