Welsh Food and Drinks exports flourishing, as Welsh Government supports businesses to reach new markets

Welsh companies, Nimbus Foods and Dairy Partners Wales, have reported around £2million extra business following Welsh Government support to help reach new markets abroad and increase the international recognition of quality Welsh food and drink.

In 2015, Wales’ food and drink exports were worth over £264million , and the Welsh Government’s Export Support programmes are making a real difference in helping firms to reach new markets across the world.

The support available is designed to help companies break down the barriers to selling abroad; this includes assistance with developing export strategies and market selection, identifying in-market opportunities and supporting companies to visit and exhibit in key overseas markets.

Dolgellau based Nimbus Foods is one of Europe’s leading innovators and manufacturers of high quality decorations, toppings and inclusions for the food industry. Their extensive range of specialist bakery, confectionery, ice-cream, dessert, cereal and snacking products are already in use by the world’s best known brands of ambient, chilled and frozen foods.

Sales Director, Jack Proctor, explains the impact the Welsh Government support has had on sales:

“Working closely with the Welsh Government over the last two years has significantly enhanced our export business. When I joined the company we had not exhibited previously, so to grow the business further we decided to target the less mature export markets for inclusions and decorations. With the support, we have attended exhibitions and identified many new clients. We have worked hard to build up an excellent portfolio reaching new markets in continental Europe and have achieved a substantial upturn in our export business with an increase from 15% to 26% during this time.”

Mr Proctor, who has been leading on sales for the company for three years, said exporting helped secure local jobs.  He added:

“With a small marketing and sales team a growth of 11% in two years is extremely satisfying and as we develop the export side of the business it not only safeguards the jobs we already have in Dolgellau but enhances the need for new jobs. We could never have achieved this without the help of the Welsh Government and we are now looking to the future and building on this further.”

Dairy Partners Wales is a long established family owned dairy company, manufacturing a range of cheese products including mozzarella, for some of the leading food companies. Will Bennett, Director at Dairy Partners Wales, based in Newcastle Emlyn, west Wales, explains how the Welsh Government support has helped them on their journey to be a local company with global reach:

“The support has allowed us to take this product out to the global market and reach new markets all over the world. We have seen a huge growth in our export business which without the backing of the Welsh Government would not have been possible.

“When Dairy Partners was established in Newcastle Emlyn over two years ago, we invested in the site and the infrastructure itself, and the further support from the Welsh Government to help us increase our exports, makes our investment all the more worthwhile.”

The Welsh Government’s Cabinet Secretary for the Environment and Rural Affairs, Lesley Griffiths, said,

“It is clear the Welsh Government’s Export Support programmes have been instrumental in helping Welsh companies win new business in new markets globally. With our help, Welsh products have been at the forefront of exhibitions and trade shows across the world. An increase in sales in the export market is vital for Welsh businesses to thrive and safeguard jobs.  I’m proud of the quality of Welsh food and drink and I would encourage producers to be ambitious in their export plans and seek out our support. Together we can take Welsh food and drink to all corners of the world.”

If you’re a company that thinks you could benefit from support with developing exports please contact Business Wales on 03000 6 03000 or by email.