As part of its work to promote British dairy products across the world, the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) has shared a number of key developments, including recent trade show successes.

AHDB headed to Singapore from 23rd-26th April to promote British red meat and dairy at FHA Food & Beverage. Five dairy and seven red meat exporters joined AHDB at the Singapore Expo Convention and Exhibition Centre, showcasing British products to an audience of around 60,000 visitors.

The trade body said that Singapore presents an “attractive market” for UK exporters, and in 2023 the UK exported 2,763 tonnes of dairy products to Singapore, valued at £8.1 million. This represented a portion of the UK’s total dairy exports to Southeast Asia in the same year, which amounted to 8,830 tonnes with a value of £24 million.

Lucy Randolph, AHDB head of international trade development (Dairy), said: “Singapore is an important expanding market for our cheese and dairy exports, resonating with consumers who appreciate premium products.

“We are delighted to be back at FHA Food and Beverage with our exporters. This is a valuable platform to further highlight the quality of our British dairy products, strengthen our existing relationships and raise the profile of our cheese with potential buyers.”

AHDB appoints new market development VP

At the end of April, AHDB announced a new vice president of market development (USA) to promote British dairy. Victor Willis, who has more than 25 years of retail and manufacturing experience in the dairy sector, will be AHDB’s new diary products representative in the US.

The role, jointly funded by the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), will see Willis working closely with dairy exporters to help grow further opportunities for the sector in the US market.

It comes as the Government launched its Dairy Export Programme last November, committing to providing specialist resource in priority markets for the sector and maximise the opportunities presented.

The programme was the result of the Government’s decision at last year’s Farm to Fork summit to invest £1 million in the dairy sector – as part of a wider package to support agriculture, food and drink – to boost UK dairy exports, especially among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Dr Phil Hadley, AHDB international trade development director, said: “Our dairy levy payers have told us how much they value AHDB’s work to support exports and want to see more of it. The additional Government money announced last year was welcome in complementing AHDB’s annual investment in providing tools and support to help drive dairy exports forward.

“The collaborative approach between AHDB and Government to drive UK export growth is well established and Victor’s appointment is a further demonstration of our shared commitment to helping ensure our dairy exports thrive on the global stage.”