A new in-market specialist has been appointed by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) to help drive dairy exports in Asia.
Karen Liao, has taken up the role of vice president of Market Development (Dairy) Asia and will be AHDB’s dairy products representative in the region.
The role, jointly funded by the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), will see Liao working closely with dairy exporters to help develop their business interests in markets in the region. She has joined fromDaioni Organic where she handled export sales and marketing, focusing on the Asia markets of Hong Kong, Vietnam, and Singapore.
Prior to Daioni, she has had an extensive career within the food and beverage industry in Hong Kong working with different distributors across a range of commodities.
Lucy Randolph, AHDB head of International Trade Development (Dairy), said: “AHDB research has identified significant potential for UK agrifood exports to Asia, with population growth, increasing middle-class wealth and high regard for food safety and quality among consumers.
“There is clearly an opportunity for the UK’s world class dairy produce in Asia and Karen’s appointment will play a pivotal role in helping our dairy exporters achieve further success in the region.”
AHDB trade development programme has been busy
Karen Liao’s appointment follows a busy AHDB international trade development programme in 2024, including a campaign in Hong Kong throughout March showcasing dishes featuring high-quality British dairy. March also saw an exclusive chef’s demonstration cooking with UK dairy produce in Singapore, followed by participation in FHA-Food & Beverage – one of Asia’s largest food and drink exhibitions – in April.
In September, buyers from Asia were among more than 40 from around the world who headed to the UK to take part in the DBT-led Dairy Export Showcase, delivered in partnership with AHDB. The week-long series of events helped build overseas buyers’ understanding about the high standards of British farms and dairy production.
AHDB ran tours to dairy farms and processors in Somerset, Gloucestershire, Shropshire and Lancashire for delegates to gain first-hand experience of the farm to fork story of British dairy produce. The week culminated with a Department for Business and Trade (DBT)-led ‘Meet the Buyer’ event and gala reception in Hertfordshire which provided a platform for buyers to meet export businesses, with more than 390 business meetings taking place.
Randolph added: “We’ve been very active in Asia this year, from participation in trade shows to coordinating events to highlight the quality and versatility of cooking with UK dairy produce. The Dairy Showcase in September also gave key buyers from the region first-hand experience of our high production standards and the farm to fork story of our produce.
“Karen’s experience will be a major asset to our team and her appointment will help play an important role in building on the business connections we have helped develop and drive further success for our exporters.”
Further details about export opportunities for UK dairy in specific regions around the world can be found in the AHDB analysis Prospects for UK agri-food exports.
