Twenty Welsh food and drink companies are preparing to visit Ireland at the end of this month in a bid to increase trading opportunities. Supported by the Welsh Government, the Food and Drink Wales trade development visit will provide producers with critical insight and an opportunity to meet with commercial contacts in an important and accessible market for Welsh food and drink.
The visit to Dublin (29 February – 2 March 2016) will include a tour of selected retailers, an introduction to the Irish market as well as an opportunity to showcase the Welsh products to retail and food service buyers. As the visit coincides with St David’s Day, a reception will take place at the British Embassy where high quality Welsh food and drink produce will be served to over 100 invited potential trade and investment partners and guests.
Commenting on the visit, Welsh Government’s Deputy Minister for Farming and Food Rebecca Evans said,
“This trade visit allows us to focus on a specific market and understand their needs, and it will give our companies an invaluable insight into how they can tailor and package their products accordingly.
We have a clear ambition to grow the industry in Wales by 30% to £7 billion by the year 2020 by working in partnership with the industry. Our continued support to Welsh producers to enable their attendance at overseas visits is proof of our commitment.
“We are delighted to be able to showcase internationally some of the most exciting Welsh speciality food and drink produce on our national day (St David’s Day). Our reputation for producing innovative products of the highest quality is now becoming well established both at home and further afield.”
Ireland offers excellent opportunities for Welsh food and drink companies as it is Wales’ second largest export market and is similar in population size and accessibility, making it an ideal market for first time exporters.
Bangor based Popty Bakery is one company looking to make links with Ireland and the export market as Marian Williams explains,
“We are keen to expand and start exporting our products and the Irish export market is a perfect stepping stone to help us gain some experience in this field. It provides us with a wonderful opportunity to meet with key buyers and to pick up advice along the way in order to establish solid Irish contracts to boost confidence and sales.”
Selwyn’s Seafood, a seaweed based snack company in Swansea has already started to grow the brand in Europe and the Far East but is now looking a little closer to home and owner Ashley Jones sees this as a perfect opportunity,
“At Selwyn’s our pioneering spirit has been leading us to great discoveries for over 50 years. Since the 1990’s we have continued to grow the business across Wales and into Europe. Our most recent adventures took us to the Far East where we discovered the magical world of roasted seaweed.
“We are continually working on and developing ways in which we can expand the brand. This trade development visit helps us focus on key elements of a very important food and drink market in Ireland. We are very much looking forward to identifying new business leads and possibilities.”