Food & Drink Wales has said its Blas Cymru/Taste Wales 2025 trade event delivered “exceptional results” for the food industry in Wales, with businesses reporting sales and business opportunities worth over £45 million generated during the event.
Organised by the Welsh Government, the biennial showcase brought together more than 150 food and drink producers from Wales, presenting more than 200 new product ranges, with 3,000 new products. The event aimed to serve as a platform for innovation and growth, which the Welsh Government said would reinforce Wales’ reputation for quality and diversity in food and drink.
Blas Cymru/Taste Wales 2025 attracted more than 300 UK and international buyers, including leading UK retailers and foodservice operators alongside buyers from global markets such as the Middle East, East Asia, North America and Europe, including Scandinavia.
More than 2,700 trade meetings were held between buyers and producers in a speed networking format, aiming to forge new trade links and “expand the reach of Welsh food and drink” across domestic and international markets.
The new trade links have already resulted in more than £45 million in forecasted sales, expanding distribution of Welsh food and drink in the UK and internationally.
Buyers reportedly praised the scale, quality and diversity of Welsh products, highlighting the collaboration within the sector as a “unique strength”. Welsh producers also reported highly productive meetings, networking opportunities and new trade relationships.
Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs Huw Irranca-Davies MS commented: “Blas Cymru/Taste Wales is a powerful showcase of the ambition and innovation driving Wales’ food and drink sector.
“To see over £45 million in business opportunities is an incredible achievement and demonstrates the strength of our producers and the appetite for Welsh food and drink globally. We are proud to support our thriving food and drink sector in Wales and will continue to help it compete on the world stage.”
Sustainability initiatives led by the Welsh Government working in collaboration with the sector were highlighted in the product displays and information was available to buyers and producers. Carbon Reduction Plans developed by a wide range of the food and drink businesses taking part were featured in the product showcases alongside where businesses had undertaken Climate Adaptation and Resilience Training or achieved B Corp accreditation.
The event also celebrated innovation with its New Product Award, which went to Flavour Moments, a start-up food business from north Wales known for its Goat’s Cheese Pearls. Flavour Moments began trading in early 2025 after years of work behind the scenes by founder Philippa Galway, and has grown into a retail-ready brand that is now stocked in delis, farm shops and most recently, Selfridges.
Philippa Galway, managing director of Flavour Moments, said: “Winning the New Product Award is a real accolade for us, especially as the standard was so high, which shows the quality of food and drink that’s available in Wales. Our Goat’s Cheese Pearls have been incredibly well received, with them now being available in Selfridges and many other places.
“The support that we have received from the Welsh Government has been phenomenal, including mentoring from Cywain, technical support from the Food Technology Centre in Llangefni and the HELIX Programme, through to efficiency improvements by working with AMRC Cymru. These initiatives have been invaluable, and many start-up food and drink businesses would not be here today without them.”
