Five food and drink businesses from across the South West have been to Germany to seek out new export customers.
The Anuga food and drink fair in Cologne which marks its 100 anniversary this year, hosts more than 7,400 exhibitors from more than 100 countries, and welcomes 165,000 trade visitors from around the world.
The businesses have so far been supported on their exporting journey by the Food is Great campaign – a cross-departmental initiative between the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Department for International Trade (DIT) - to showcase UK food and drink overseas and help more businesses export.
The region’s producers which took the trip included Devon's Willie's Cacao, Bath’s The Fine Cheese Company and Wiltshire’s The Tracklement Co, who exhibited at the show alongside more than 100 UK businesses in a dedicated UK pavilion with support from DIT’s International Trade Advisers (ITAs).
Away from the show, businesses also attended a special evening reception hosted by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) and supported by the Food is Great campaign, where more than 300 buyers and key opinion leaders sampled the best in British meat and dairy.
Food Minister Zac Goldsmith said: “It is fantastic to see our food and drink businesses promoting their world-famous produce and forging new links with emerging markets.
“Anuga is an excellent opportunity to showcase the food and drink that the South West is renowned for, and builds on the continued success of British businesses and our Food is GREAT campaign.”
Minister for Investment at the Department for International Trade, Graham Stuart said: “At £22.5 billion, UK food and drink overseas sales are at record levels thanks to the depth, quality, safety and welfare standards of our produce.
“The international appetite for British food and drink quality and brands has never been higher and the potential for growth is enormous. With DIT’s help I hope to see more and more British firms making the leap into new markets.”
The latest statistics show that food and drink exports for the South West totalled more than £853 million in the year to June 2019, a 2% increase on the previous 12 months.
