Food and Drink Wales Industry Board - Chair's Update June 2022

We are now halfway through yet another challenging year. The good news is that our industry is coping with the relentless challenges posed by the “perfect storm” of Brexit, Covid and the situation in Ukraine. Despite this, I know that many businesses are in survival mode and I’m constantly hearing reports that things are tough, that it is a challenge passing rising costs on to customers, and of course labour continues to be in short supply.

Economic Appraisal: Welsh Food and Drink sector

The Economic Appraisal provides information on the performance of the Welsh Food and Drink sector, covering turnover, employment, business counts, exports and more, across the key food and drink sub-sectors.   

Community Food Strategy

The Welsh Government’s Programme for Government 2021 to 2026 and the Co-operation Agreement, commit to developing a Wales Community Food Strategy (CFS) to encourage the production and supply of locally-sourced food in Wales.

We have undertaken two surveys to gather views on the development of the CFS, the first for consumers and the second for stakeholders involved in community food initiatives.

Welsh Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic community recipe book declared best in the world

A collection of recipes bringing together a menu of dishes from around the globe which celebrates the diversity of the Welsh Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic community has won a renowned worldwide award. ‘The Melting Pot’ by Maggie Ogunbanwo, has won Best in the World in the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards in the migrant category.

Helping food and drink businesses to take the lead

Food Skills Cymru are working with a number of training providers to offer businesses in the food and drink processing and manufacturing industry in Wales the opportunity to develop their Leadership and Management skills.

What does a Welsh Government Employer Engagement Officer have to offer your business?

Welsh Government Employer Engagement Officer can work with any type and size of business who have either recruited migrants or who are considering this new venture but have reservations over the process.

WARNING - be extra vigilant. Scam opportunities by French companies

The Department for International Trade in France has been made aware of an increasing number of UK (but not only) companies being targeted by sophisticated delivery scams.

Companies are approached by people claiming to work for a French distribution organisation (mainly those working for non-integrated hypermarkets such as Leclerc), wanting to sell their goods in France and seeking to place an order which will never be paid.

Wales Rural Network's first 'physical' event since 2019 - Didn't we do well!!

The WRN is proud and pleased with how the event went last week at The Royal Welsh Showground in Builth Wells.

The celebration welcomed over 360 delegates over the two day event, with more than 30 projects showcasing their work.

Food & Drink Careers Hub at the Royal Welsh Show (18-21 July 2022)

It has been three years since we last opened our doors to budding food and drink newbies at the Royal Welsh Show but now we are back better than ever joining forces with many partners and even Wales’ largest supplier of Welsh produce, Pembrokeshire’s Puffin Produce.

WHAT TYPE OF FINANCE?

IS RIGHT FOR YOUR WELSH FOOD OR DRINK BUSINESS

Join this Sustainable Scale Up Cluster event to learn and familiarise yourself with the complex world of finance products. This will enable you as business owners/managers to apply for the most appropriate and cost effective form of finance for your business needs.

WORLD CHEESE AWARDS 2022 - SAVE THE DATE

It is with mixed emotions, but with enormous pride and excitement, that we are taking the 2022 edition of the World Cheese Awards to Wales, supported by the Welsh Government.

We look forward to you joining us in November with your entries this year at the International Conference Centre Wales.

Trade Mission and Exhibition to SIAL, Paris 2022

Recruitment is still open to exhibit with the Welsh Government under the Food and Drink Wales banner at SIAL, Paris 15 – 19 October 2022.