Celebrating Welsh food and drink

specialityfoodmagazine.com 17 MULTI-MILLION-POUND INVESTMENTS IN INNOVATIONAND INFRASTRUCTUREAREHELPINGOUR PRODUCERS EXPANDTHEIRREACH, BOOST SUSTAINABILITY, ANDCOMPETE INTERNATIONALLY Huw Irranca-Davies MS, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs gaps and realise businesses’ potential – building a secure foundation from which producers can grow. As part of the Government’s Export Support Programme, one-to-one support is offered to businesses looking to export as means to increase their sales. The support available is invaluable, covering everything from strategies to financial concerns, procedures to regulations, culture to language insights, as well as overseas travel to research opportunities and build professional networks including attendance at Wales branded pavilions and trade shows such as Gulfood and Foodex Japan. For more information on the support offered to Welsh food and drink businesses, go to page 14. ConnectingWelsh producers with the world Held since 2017, Blas Cymru / Taste Wales is just one event whereby buyers from across the world can build relationships and connect first-hand with the country’s finest food and drink. The 2025 event, held 22nd-23rd October at the International Conference Centre Wales (ICC Wales), Newport, brought together 150 Welsh producers and 300 buyers from around the world. Within a few weeks of the end of the event, confirmed sales for producers were already in excess of £45m, Welsh Government Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies MS, said of the event, “Blas Cymru / Taste Wales 2025 stands as a testament to the progress and ambition of Wales’ food and drink sector. Multi-million- pound investments in innovation and infrastructure are helping our producers expand their reach, boost sustainability, and compete internationally. With 150 suppliers, over 200 new product ranges, and more than 3,000 products on display, this event is a unique opportunity to experience the very best of Welsh food and drink. The Welsh Government is proud to support the event, and to help our thriving food and drink sector seize new and exciting opportunities. This is the very best of Wales on the world stage!” With its cornucopia of excellent produce – check out Wales’ iconic GI products on page 10 as a starting point, meet some of the country’s best producers on 19 and get a taste for the future of Welsh food and drink on page 48 – it’s no wonder that the international market is craving produce fromWales’ picturesque land and sea. With an impressive support network in place to help businesses feed this growing appetite, the future is looking bright for the position of Welsh produce on the world’s stage.