News and events

Wales is set to make a flavourful mark at Gulfood 2024, one of the world’s largest food and drink exhibitions, taking place in Dubai next month, with a delegation of companies gearing up to exhibit their high quality products on the global stage. Gulfood 2024 is a five-day event that takes place from 19-23 February 2023 at the Dubai World Trade Centre. It is set to host a record 5500+ exhibitors from over 127 countries...

In the run-up to Pancake Day (13th February 2024), shoppers are being encouraged to ‘get drizzling’ Welsh honey on their traditional favourite. Among the most versatile and simple dishes, pancakes – hot or cold - can be eaten in various ways, but what could be more satisfying than a topping of luxurious Welsh honey? As Pancake Day approaches, a group of Welsh honey producers and retailers have teamed up to give shoppers the ‘me’ factor...

Mallows Bottling, a family-owned facility based in Coed Ely is going from strength to strength since it opened for business in 2021, with exports being its focus for the future growth. Mallows Bottling, received a grant from the Welsh Government’s Business Innovation and Tourism Escalator scheme for its bottling line, and now runs 3 lines with plans for a 4th. The company bottles all forms of alcoholic beverages and has secured large contracts with leading...

Producers from across the Welsh beer and spirits sectors have gathered to launch their respective strategies to improve sector collaboration and drive growth moving forward. Held at the Norwegian Church in Cardiff Bay, the Welsh Beer Strategy and Welsh Spirits Strategy will help the drinks industry meet current challenges, including the cost of living crisis and spiralling energy, supply chain and raw material costs. The drinks industry remains integral to the Welsh economy, with a...

BlasCymru/TasteWales 2023 saw a record high for Welsh food and drink businesses as confirmed and potential sales reached £38 million, Rural Affairs Minister Lesley Griffiths has announced. The biennial event, which took place over two full days at the International Convention Centre (ICCW) in Newport, saw companies in the sector showcase their high-quality products to buyers and industry professionals from home and abroad. In total, 122 Welsh food and drink businesses took part in the...

Six appointments have been made to an industry board which aims to grow, promote and enhance the reputation of the Welsh food and drink sector. The members of the Food and Drink Wales Industry Board will engage with the businesses throughout the country and Welsh Government to help see continued growth as Welsh food and drink thrives both at home and abroad. The six appointments are: Professor David Lloyd, Chair of the Food and Drink...

Food and drink manufacturers and processing businesses in Wales can gain skills and knowledge on how to build practical plans in response to climate change and challenging Net Zero targets through a series of workshops held in January 2024. Managed by Food & Drink Skills Wales, a programme funded by Welsh Government and committed to working with the food and drink industry to develop a skilled and capable workforce; the free, tutor-led online training courses...

Children in schools across Wales have been enjoying a new School Activity Ideas Pack created by the newly formed Food & Drink Skills Wales project. The pack, which encourages pupils to examine environmental factors affecting our food chains, was launched as part of Wales Climate Week (December 4-8). This year’s Wales Climate Week focused on the theme of “fairness” in the context of climate change, examining its disproportionate effect on people and places. It has...

Traditionally, Christmas is a time when many employers in the food and drink industry take on temporary staff to help them with the busy festive period - and according to a new Wales-wide skills support programme, such opportunities can have longer-term benefits for all. Delivered by Menter a Busnes on behalf of the Welsh Government, Food & Drink Skills Wales works with the food and drink industry to develop a skilled and capable workforce to...

Welsh food and drink businesses are in Singapore to promote their first-class products. Organised by the Welsh Government, the Trade Development Visit to Singapore provides a platform to engage with potential partners, distributors, and buyers in the region. The visit aims to highlight Wales’ diverse range of high-quality products, including dairy, bakery and alcohol products. Importing about 90% of its food and drinks consumption, Singapore is a country with great potential for Welsh food and...