Leading food and drink trade event attracts Welsh producers

Some of Wales’ finest food and drink companies are preparing to attend Food & Drink Expo at Birmingham’s NEC this week.

Food & Drink Expo helps companies find a route to the UK food and drink market, with hundreds of companies showcasing their exceptional products. Over 25,000 visitors and 1,500 exhibitors will attend the three-day event which takes place from 24-26 April 2023.

Supported by the Welsh Government, nine companies will be part of the Cymru/Wales Pavilion, all looking to showcase their mouth-watering products and embed Wales’ place firmly on the food map.

All Welsh food and drink companies exhibiting under the Cymru/Wales brand receive support from the Welsh Government.

Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd, Lesley Griffiths said:

“The Welsh Government’s support allows producers to attend events such as Food & Drink Expo and provides them with an excellent opportunity to interact directly with buyers and distributors, showcasingthe very best of Wales.

“Through long term vision and effort over the last decade we have achieved significant growth, a rising industry profile, and a strong team spirit based on partnership. This has  given us a firm foundation to build for the future.” 

Welsh producers exhibiting will include Cradoc’s Savoury Biscuit’s Ltd, Anglesey Sea Salt/Halen Môn, Snowdonia Cheese, Shepherd’s Biscuits Ltd, Mario’s Ice Cream, Prince’s Gate, Mydflower Ltd, Edwards and Coco Pzazz.

Shepherd’s Welsh Biscuits will be introducing their new Hestia James brand of twin-pack of Traditional Shortbread and Chocolate Shortbread.

James Shepherd, Director of Shepherd’s Welsh Biscuits said,

“We are taking our range of luxury handmade biscuits to the show with the aim of growing sales of our retail and foodservice products in the UK market. We will also be using the show to showcase our new Hestia James brand of twin-packs, a luxurious alternative for the hotel and coffee shop market.”

Commenting on being part of the Food & Drink Wales showcase, co-founder David Ruttle from Mydflowers, based in the Brecon Beacons said,

“This is our second time attending Food & Drink Expo. We are hoping to meet with lots of buyers – big and small to showcase our fantastic product. It’s wonderful to meet people directly and in person, and therefore get instant feedback and understand what is important to different types of businesses. We also hope to meet more like-minded Welsh businesses and create stronger ties and find potential collaborations.”

Mydflower was founded in the lockdown of 2020 by two friends David and Michael, united by a passion for nature, summer, myth and an ice-cold drink to wash it all down. They produce Elderflower wine, naturally sparkling (5.3%) in a can. It is made with wild elderflowers, Welsh mountain spring water, and fresh lemon in the Brecon Beacons, nurtured by hand in small batches.

Another company exhibiting is Mario’s Ice Cream who will be showcasing their dairy ice cream, dairy-free ice cream and ice cream desserts.

Mario Dallavalle, Managing Director at Mario’s Luxury Ice Cream said,

“By attending Food & Drink Expo we hope to be able to showcase that we are the best ice cream company in Wales and we only use the finest quality ingredients. We would like to raise our brand awareness as well as attract new business from all of the UK and hope this event will help us achieve this.”

Food & Drink Expo will run alongside Farm Shop & Deli Show, National Convenience Show and Foodex Manufacturing Solutions as part of the UK Food & Drink Shows, bringing together the grocery, specialist retail, wholesale and foodservice sectors under one roof! In 2023 there are two new distinct zones: Healthy & Natural and Low2NoBev. These new zones are dedicated to showcasing innovation and NPD across a range of key industry-impacting trends.

Numerous Welsh companies including the Fine Food Cluster showcase will feature as part of the Wales delegation at the Farm Shop & Deli Show.

Visit the Cymru Wales Pavilion P250 & P260 at Food & Drink Expo and the Fine Food Cluster showcase at the Farm Shop & Deli Show stand numbers P270, N270, M270, K271 and the Cywain Micro stand K271 from 24-26 April 2023 for a range of innovative food and drink products.