The Government is launching a campaign to help boost British food, drink and farming businesses looking to export following the coronavirus crisis.
The Smart Distance Selling Process, which will see hampers of British goods being sent to other countries, is being headed up by South West-based chambers of commerce Business West.
The chamber is initially producing 120 hampers to go to buyers around the world, with the first being sent to Dubai.
The food hamper being sent to the Middle East includes products from Mr Lees Noodles Co in Bournemouth, as well as other items from around the UK.
Paul Abley of the Department of International Trade worked with Business West to develop the idea.
He explained: “Our team in Dubai has engaged with buyers to review the 400 companies on our Great British Food Programme directory, and asked them to select the products that they are interested in.
“They then go in the hamper and are shipped to the buyer for maximum response. We are building hampers specific to buyer requests.”
A spirits hamper is also being sent by the chamber to a major importer in Mexico.
It contains 24 miniatures made up of samples from South Western Distillery in Wadebridge; Capreolus Distillery in Cirencester; Black Cow in Beaminster; and 6 O’Clock Gin from Thornbury, South Gloucestershire.
Each company with goods in the hamper will have the opportunity of presenting to the buyer.
Business West said other countries are interested in the idea, including Japan, which wants 10 hampers, India (15), Hong Kong (eight) and Canada (seven).
Mr Abley said: “It is unlikely we are going to be seeing any major food and drink shows anywhere until early next year, so this is the next best thing to promote the best of British food and drink by actually putting these hampers in the hands of buyers all over the world.”
He added: “Each company whose products are featured in these hampers could well generate an additional £100,000 a year in business at what is a vital time for companies seeking to trade through coronavirus successfully and by so doing help the British economy recover.”
Food and drink exports were worth £23.7billion last year - up almost five per cent from 2018.
