Blas Cymru / Taste Wales
Blas Cymru / Taste Wales was launched in 2017, with subsequent events held biennially in 2019, 2021 and 2023.
It has become a signature event for the Welsh food and drink industry bringing producers,suppliers, buyers, and food industry professionals together, from across the world.
The event has seen great economic growth and success, nationally and beyond, for businesses and the industry.
Blas Cymru / Taste Wales has evolved, and to allow it to grow, it will be divided into two separate events:
Blas Cymru / Taste Wales Conference 2024, which takes place on the 24th October at Venue Cymru, Llandudno, and
Blas Cymru / Taste Wales Brokerage 2025, which will be held at the ICC Wales, Newport on the 22-23 October 2025.
Blas Cymru / Taste Wales Conference 2024
The inaugural Food and Drink Wales Blas Cymru / Taste Wales Conference will take place on Thursday 24 October 2024 at Venue Cymru, Llandudno.
If you’re a Welsh food and drink business, the conference is not to be missed. The event will include practical seminars, industry workshops, expert panels, and specialist surgeries along with an opportunity to find out about the full suite of Welsh Government support available to the food and drink industry in Wales.
Blas Cymru / Taste Wales 2023
The 2023 event took place at the International Convention Centre Wales (ICCW), Newport (25-26 October 2023).
The theme of the 2023 event was ‘Powerful together: From challenge to success. The role of resilience, innovation and optimism’.
Despite the event being impacted by the economic climate and cost of living crisis, it has supported businesses to secure £38m in confirmed and potential sales, generated through pre-planned trade meetings between producers and buyers.
Blas Cymru / Taste Wales 2023, welcomed to Wales 276 trade buyers, including international buyers from 11 countries, and 122 Welsh food and drink businesses including 15 Rising Stars (business start-ups in Wales). Some 2,100 scheduled trade meetings between trade buyers and Welsh food and drink businesses took place as part of the "Meet the Buyer" brokerage, and 203 new products / ranges were developed for the retailer and foodservice sectors.
Blas Cymru / Taste Wales 2023 - 1
Blas Cymru / Taste Wales 2023 - 2
Blas Cymru / Taste Wales 2021
Following on from the huge success of the 2017 and 2019 events, BlasCymru/TasteWales 2021 was held for the first time at the new International Conference Centre Wales (ICCW), Newport (10-11 March 2021).
The theme of the 2021 event was ‘Food and Drink for Future Generations’. Despite the event being impacted by the Covid pandemic, more than 100 food and drink businesses from Wales took part and 200 trade buyers were in attendance, including most of the major retailers and key foodservice and hospitality trade partners, as well as UK-based international dignitaries.
In total, 1,695 Covid-secure meetings, including virtual discussions, took place as part of the "Meet the Buyer" brokerage between trade buyers and Welsh food and drink businesses, which generated £16m in new deals.
Blas Cymru / Taste Wales 2021 - Day 1
BlasCymru/TasteWales 2021 - Day 2
Blas Cymru / Taste Wales 2019
The second Blas Cymru / Taste Wales event took place at the Celtic Manor Resort, Newport (20-21 March 2019).
The theme of the 2019 event was ‘Accelerating Sustainable Growth – faster, smarter, greener’.
Blas Cymru / Taste Wales 2019 welcomed to Wales 190 trade buyers, including international buyers from 18 countries, and 150 Welsh food and drink businesses.
In total, 1,600 meetings, including virtual discussions, took place as part of the "Meet the Buyer" brokerage between trade buyers and Welsh food and drink businesses, which generated £12m in new deals.
Blas Cymru / Taste Wales 2019
Blas Cymru / Taste Wales 2017
Blas Cymru / Taste Wales 2017 was the first major international trade event to showcase the very best of the food and drink industry in Wales. The event took place at the Celtic Manor Resort Golf Club, Newport (22 – 25 March 2017).
Over 150 trade buyers attended the event and had the opportunity to meet and network with over 100 Welsh food and drink producers. International visitors and buyers attended from 14 countries from across Europe, North America, Middle East and Far East.
Over 1,200 one-to-one business meetings were facilitated which generated over £16m new business for Welsh food and drink producers.
Blas Cymru / Taste Wales 2017