The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) hosted its inaugural Dairy Export Conference, highlighting global opportunities and future priorities for the UK dairy sector.
The business-to-business event, supported by the Provision Trade Federation (PTF) and RM Boulanger, brought together export businesses, UK Government representatives and wider industry stakeholders to examine the UK’s trading relationships with multiple markets and “help shape future priorities” for the sector.
Around 60 delegates heard about export opportunities, including tips from businesses already exporting, with speakers discussing their business’s export journeys. Delegates were also given updates from AHDB’s in-market representatives in the US, Middle East and Asia.
The conference, opened by AHDB chair Emily Norton, included round table discussions, networking opportunities and the chance to hear more about the EU-UK SPS agreement, as well as other industry issues.
Lucy Randolph, AHDB head of international trade development for dairy, said: “We were delighted to host our inaugural Dairy Export Conference which provided valuable industry insight and practical advice for our exporters to maximise global opportunities for our world-class dairy produce.
“Collaborative working is key to helping ensure our dairy exports continue to thrive and the conference also provided us with valuable feedback from the industry to help shape our priorities as we plan our activity for next year.”
“UK dairy producers are rightly respected on the world stage for their reliability and consistency in delivering a wide variety of high-quality, tasty, nutritious and sustainable products.”
Rod Addy, PTF director general and chair of the Dairy Export Taskforce, said: “UK dairy producers are rightly respected on the world stage for their reliability and consistency in delivering a wide variety of high-quality, tasty, nutritious and sustainable products to high animal welfare standards.
“While international markets remain volatile, lucrative opportunities exist for those armed with the right support and information. The Dairy Export Taskforce aims to identify some of those opportunities and support and equip producers in breaking into new markets and expanding their presence. This conference highlighted the most exciting successes of the taskforce to date and its future quest to ensure exporters excel.”
AHDB said its conference had followed a “successful first half of 2025”, which saw the value of UK dairy exports increase 20% on the year to £1.1 billion. From January to June, AHDB’s UK-based Dairy Export team and in-market representatives in the US, Middle East and Asia supported a total of 36 UK companies at 14 events across the world as part of its drive to promote world-class British dairy produce.
In October, the team also provided support for 13 dairy export businesses at Anuga in Cologne, to help “underline the reputation of British dairy” produce in the global market.
Randolph added: “We have had a busy year supporting the dairy sector at events around the world and the figures for the first half of 2025 were very encouraging. Our aim is to continue supporting our exporters to help build on what has been achieved to date. Feedback and shared insight from the Dairy Export Conference will be instrumental in helping us shape our priorities and activities for the next financial year to help ensure our world-class dairy produce achieves its global potential.”
