Welsh Food and Drink exports were worth £797 million in 2022, the highest recorded yearly value, Rural Affairs Minister Lesley Griffiths has announced.
With the Royal Welsh Show in full swing and crowds enjoying some of Wales’ best food and drink products, the Minister has revealed the industry’s exports increased by £157 million between 2021 and 2022, representing a 24.5% rise.
This is a larger percentage increase than the UK as a whole, which grew by 21.6%.
The highest value export categories for Welsh Food and Drink in 2022 were Meat and Meat Products at £265 million, a 42% increase from 2021, and Cereal and Cereal Preparations which rose 16% to £160 million.
The value of the sector’s exports to the EU reached £594 million, a £130 million increase from 2021. The industry’s export to non-EU countries were worth £203 million in 2022, a large growth from £176 million in 2021.
The Minister has also announced a new scheme, the Strategic Innovation Scheme, to provide a comprehensive range of business support services to food and drink businesses across Wales.
As part of this, Project Helix, which offers technical and commercial support to the Welsh food and drink industry, will continue until March 2025.
Latest figures show Helix, which launched in 2016, has provided a £355 million economic boost to the industry, helped create 683 jobs and protected a further 3,647 jobs. More than 700 businesses have been supported through the scheme and almost 2,100 new food and drink products developed.
For further information please select the following link New record high for Welsh Food and Drink exports | GOV.WALES
The Welsh Government's Food Division is responsible for promoting Welsh Food and Drink in Wales, the UK and internationally.