Welsh Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs Huw Irranca-Davies visited food trade show Anuga in Cologne as Food and Drink Wales showcased local producers.
Food and Drink Wales said that the latest figures show that the value of Welsh food and drink exports has grown by £269 million since 2019, which is a 47% increase. This represents a total value of £839 million in 2024, with meat and cereal products being the strongest categories. The Deputy First Minister’s visit was aimed at “building on these recent successes and increasing the industry’s presence” internationally.
The Deputy First Minister’s itinerary included meeting a contingent of Welsh food and drink businesses, along with key European investors in Wales, such as Frostkrone Food Group, Village Bakery Dunbia, Kepak and Dawn Meats. During these meetings, discussions included ongoing investments and plans for their Welsh sites.
In addition, the Deputy First Minister participated in a UK-wide Meat Levy Board Roundtable with his Ministerial counterparts in Scotland and Northern Ireland, along with senior figures from Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales (HCC), Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) and the Livestock and Meat Commission (LMC), Northern Ireland. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the current situation within the industry, along with opportunities to align policy across the different devolved governments for future prosperity.
“Welsh food and drink is a cornerstone of our economy and we want to see it continue to grow and succeed.”
Speaking of his experience at the event, the Deputy First Minister said: “This visit to Anuga was an invaluable opportunity to meet with key global investors in Wales, and to build on our recent export successes and growing international reputation for quality food and drink.
“In addition, I had an extremely productive meeting with my counterparts from Scotland and Northern Ireland with regards to the meat industry, and I look forward to building on this spirit of co-operation into the future as we work together for the benefit of our farmers and wider rural communities.
“Welsh food and drink is a cornerstone of our economy and we want to see it continue to grow and succeed. A key part of this is making sure the world knows about the quality that we have on offer, and I am delighted to stand alongside our producers and manufacturers as we work together to ensure Wales continues to thrive on an international stage.”
During his visit, the Deputy First Minister also visited the Cymru Wales pavilion, meeting with businesses that have received support from the Welsh Government to attend. These included What’s Cooking? for Professionals, Morning Foods, Bloomin’ and South Caernarfon Creameries.
What’s Cooking? for Professionals, a food producer specialising in ready meals and convenience foods, focuses on quality, sustainability, and consumer trends, and the company has built a reputation for delivering chef-inspired dishes that “reflect the best of both traditional and world cuisine”.
Samir Edwards, channel director industry and foodservice at What’s Cooking? for Professionals, stated: “Anuga offers us a unique platform to connect with international buyers and share our story. We’re proud to showcase our latest product innovations, which combine locally sourced ingredients with bold flavours and practical formats that meet the needs of today’s consumers.
“It’s also a fantastic opportunity to build relationships that could lead to exciting export opportunities and future collaborations with buyers, distributors, and suppliers across Europe and beyond.”
