Welsh food and drink companies looking to the fjords for export opportunities

Fifteen Welsh food and drink companies are getting ready to embark on a trade development visit to Denmark and Norway with the aim of finding new trading opportunities in these markets.

Supported by the Welsh Government, the Food and Drink Wales trade development visit to Copenhagen and Oslo from 23-27 May 2016, will provide companies with critical insight and commercial contacts in two important and diverse markets for Welsh food and drink.

Fifteen companies will be visiting Denmark and Norway ranging from dairy, desserts and biscuits to fruit juices and brewing companies.

Otley Brewing, a family run brewing company based in Pontypridd sees this trade visit as a perfect opportunity to expand their business further as Managing Director Nick Otley says, “We are excited about putting our products out to a bigger market, spreading our wings and testing the waters. We started the business eleven years ago and have some stories to tell but for us none as exciting as the stories we are yet to write. We sense change in the air, time to polish what we do, be confident, step out of the green valley and enter new markets!”

Govinda’s Foods Ltd, a food manufacturing company based in Cross Hands, dedicated to producing gluten and dairy free products, is launching a new dessert brand called Natures Cane ahead of the trade visit and are very excited according to owner Jodie Anderson-Thomas,

“Our aim is to develop and produce high quality desserts which can compete with the best of the mainstream products without compromising on quality, and that’s we have decided to launch this new and exciting dessert brand to further this aim. We very much look forward to see what kind of welcome they receive in Denmark and Norway.”

The award winning north Wales sea salt company, Halen Môn, is a well-known global brand and Sales Director, Alison Lea-Wilson knows the value of looking at new export markets,

“Halen Môn is an established iconic brand around the world, but we still believe in expanding new markets. The trade visit to Denmark later this month gives us the opportunity to meet potential buyers and promote the significant unique selling points of Welsh food and drink to a Nordic audience.”

Also attending is South Wales company Fruitapeel Juice Ltd who have managed to extend the shelf life on their fruit juices and smoothies and, as a result, can now offer even more options for products via the new high pressure processing (HPP) process they have installed at the factory with the support of the Welsh Government.

Denmark and Norway are in the Top 20 UK export markets for food and drink making it an excellent opportunity for Welsh food and drink companies.

During the trade delegation visit, companies will enjoy one-to-one meetings with potential buyers and distributors, have the opportunity to showcase their produce to selected retail and foodservice buyers, as well as accompanied store visits, market briefings and networking events.