Food and Drink Wales Newsletter - April 2025

April 2025 • Issue 038

 
 

In this Edition

Celebrating New Members to the Welsh GI Family

New PGI producers

Dovey Native Botanical Gin, Pembrokeshire Native Oysters, Pembrokeshire Rock Oysters and Welsh Heather Honey have now joined the list of Welsh food and drink products granted protected geographical indication (PGI) status under the UK's Geographical Indication (GI) schemes. 

The four products have been formally recognised for their distinctive qualities and regional heritage, ensuring only authentic items meeting strict production standards and geographical requirements can be marketed under these protected names, bringing Wales’ total number of GI products to 24.

This recognition gives producers a valuable market advantage while preserving traditional production methods, protecting and championing local products while creating economic opportunity. 

These new additions join other popular Welsh products already recognised under the GI scheme, including Anglesey Sea Salt, Welsh Leeks, Pembrokeshire Earlies, Carmarthen Ham and Single Malt Welsh Whisky, showcasing the rich culinary heritage of Wales.

"This recognition strengthens Wales’ growing family of protected foods, showcases the extraordinary quality of our produce, and reflects our commitment to high-quality, sustainable food production.

From the mountains to the coast, Wales produces some of the UK's most iconic foods, cultivated with care and tradition. Each GI product tells the story of our landscape, our producers' expertise and our proud culinary heritage."

Wales’ Deputy First Minister, Huw Irranca-Davies, who has responsibility for Climate Change and Rural Affairs

Dyfi Botanical Gin

"Having GI Status is a good thing and helps to raise awareness of Botanical gin being provenance-based and produced to such a strict and high quality."

Danny Cameron of Dyfi Native Botanical Gin 

"I am delighted that Welsh Heather Honey’s precise origin and characteristics have been recognised. The UK GI application process is long, and it is wonderful that Wales is the first UK nation to have a honey receive PGI status."

Gruffydd Rees of Gwenyn Gruffydd Ltd in Carmarthenshire

Welsh Heather Honey PGI
Pembrokeshire Oysters

"Having a PGI Status will attract a broader audience and market who are more aware of GI products and will allow us to join the GI family which has a number of fantastic products."

Jake Davies, Atlantic Edge Oysters

 

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Blas Cymru Taste Wales Brokerage 2025

background image of shelves displaying welsh drinks

Join us for this signature event, first launched in 2017 and held biennially,
bringing together producers, suppliers, buyers, and food industry
professionals from across the world.

If you are a food and drink business, this event is not to be missed.
Showcase your products to leading industry and retail buyers, network with key players in the food and drink industry, as well as discover innovative products and trends.

Key event highlights include:
• Focus on innovation with 200 new products to be featured
• Participation from SALSA and BRCGS accredited companies
• Success stories featuring Fungi Foods, the winner of the Blas Cymru /
Taste Wales Conference 2024 Dragon’s Pantry competition

Come with questions, leave with answers!

For more information and how to register, visit the Blas Cymru Taste Wales page.

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Two Welsh Producers given Prestigious Award

Radnor Hills and Golden Hooves Award winning drinks and cheese

Two Welsh producers have been named amongst the best in Britain, having picked up Gold Awards at the Farm Shop & Deli Product Awards 2025.

Despite stiff competition from producers across the country, the Welsh companies celebrating are Radnor Hills for their Heartsease Farm Apple & Rhubarb sparkling water, and Golden Hooves for their Smoked Cheddar.

In addition, Radnor Hills also picked up a Silver Award for their Heartsease Farm Sparkling Raspberry Lemonade, while Golden Hooves were similarly rewarded for their Double Gloucester and Red Leicester cheeses.

Continue reading this article on the Food & Drink Wales News Webpage.

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Carbon Reduction Pilot - It's free: Sign up now!

Carbon Reduction Pilot

We are excited to announce that Wales’ Food and Drink businesses can now benefit from 12 months of FREE support through the latest phase of the Carbon Reduction Pilot. This initiative is designed to help you:

  • Assess your current carbon emissions
  • Develop a comprehensive Carbon Reduction Plan

By participating, you'll gain a strategic roadmap to reduce emissions, enhance efficiency, and drive towards a more sustainable future. Don't miss this opportunity to make a positive impact on both your business and the environment

Tesco stated, ‘we’re proud to work alongside the Welsh Government in this transformative pilot programme’ .  Edwards – the Welsh Butcher is also participating in the pilot programme and said ‘Sustainable practices are essential for winning future supply contracts.”  Read more details in our press release. 

Interested? To receive our free support in baselining your carbon emissions and developing a Carbon Reduction Plan, please contact sustainablefd@gov.wales 

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Insight Conference 2025: Be Ahead of the Curve

Insight Conference

This year's annual Insight Programme Conference 2025 took place in March, providing latest market intelligence and strategic insights to support the Welsh food and drink sector. 

The theme, ‘Be Ahead of the Curve,’ focused on several key areas: the economy and business, future consumer trends, retail developments, the out-of-home sector, and export opportunities. 

Attendees benefited from expert analysis and practical guidance from leading industry specialists.

Conference materials including presentation videos and slide packs, are now available to view in the Food and Drink Wales Members Area.

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Welsh Food and Drink Overseas

Gulfood display montage

Gulfood

Welsh food and drink businesses made a strong impression at Gulfood 2025, the world’s largest food and drink trade show, held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates this February.  Led by the Welsh Government’s Food Division, a delegation of 15 companies showcased the very best of Welsh produce, securing new international customers and expanding their global reach.

Continue reading

Food-Ex Japan

A delegation of Welsh companies have recently visited Japan, as the industry continues to target opening new markets for its food and drink products. Food-ex Japan is Asia’s largest food and drink exhibition, with the Welsh Government supporting the presence of a number of producers under the Cymru/Wales banner.

Continue reading

FoodEx Japan montage

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Food and Drink Industry Board Wales - Gary Mitchell

Gary Mitchell

Like all of us on the board I have a long connection with food and a special interest in horticulture and agroecology installed in me by my father who has been a professional gardener and grower throughout most of my life.

We always grew as much of our own food as we could and were often surrounded by a menagerie of animals. My father was also responsible for restoring several large Victorian estate walled gardens to their former glory and bringing them into full production.

Continue reading Gary's update on the FDWIB Website.

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European Buyers Explore the Best of Welsh Meat & Dairy

Inward Mission overseas visitors touring the Rhug Estate

At the end of March, Wales welcomed a delegation of meat and dairy buyers from Germany, Poland, the Czech Republic, Switzerland and the Netherlands for an inward trade mission organised by the Welsh Government.

Delivery of the inward mission was managed by BIC Innovation and gave a first-hand experience of Wales’s producers and processors, showcasing the exceptional quality of Welsh produce and highlighting sustainable farming practices.

The missions began with a tour of the Rhug Estate Organic Farm where Rhys Davies, Estate Manager and Emyr Owen, Farm Manager explained the efforts Welsh farmers make to produce high quality food using highly sustainable methods. The group went on to enjoy Rhug Estate Welsh lamb at Tyddyn Llan restaurant with rooms, carefully prepared by Head Chef Gareth Stevenson.

The dairy delegation visited Coleg Glynllifon, where Rhodri Owen, Farm and Forest Manager explained the role the college plays in training the farmers of the future, in Wales and beyond.

South Caernarfon Creameries was the next stop with National Account Manager, Michael Mort, giving the buyers a tour of the state-of-the-art cheese making facility.

The meat sector buyers toured Dunbia’s boning hall before heading to Silian to visit Tanygraig, where Dai Charles farms with his family, producing PGI Welsh Lamb for Dunbia.

The following day saw the dairy buyers heading southwest to vist Caws Teifi and Caws Cenarth before ending the tour at organic dairy farm, Penyrallt Home, supplier to Calon Wen.

The meat delegation headed to Pilgrim’s UK Lamb processing facility followed by a tour by the farmer Wyn Jerman and his two sons who farm the Severn valley and the Cambrian mountains producing PGI Welsh Lamb and PGI Welsh Beef.

The highlight of the trip was certainly the showcase dinner held at Y Ffarmers in Llanfihangel y Creuddyn, where Caitlin and Lewis pulled out all the stops to showcase some of the best Welsh food and drink to the guests.

A huge thank you to our European guests and to all the Welsh producers who proudly represented the best of Wales. Here's to growing our global presence and showcasing Welsh excellence on the world stage!

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Horticultural Cluster at the RWAS Spring Festival

Smallholders of the Horticultural Cluster

Food & Drink Wales Horticulture Cluster members will be exhibiting at The Royal Welsh Agricultural Society Spring Festival on 17th and 18th May 2025. The RWAS weekend event is described as:

"A celebration of rural life with smallholding pursuits at its heart, showcasing the real diversity of the Welsh countryside."

Surrounding the Farming Connect Horticulture stand will be a vibrant marketplace featuring a variety of exciting trade stands showcasing Welsh horticulture. Whether you are a seasoned grower, a curious newcomer, or simply looking to add a touch of nature to your life, this event is not to be missed.

Find out more about the RWAS Spring Festival.

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Judging at the Great Taste Awards

Food submitted for the Great Taste Awards

Two members from the Food & Drink Wales Team recently headed to London for an exciting opportunity - judging the prestigious Great Taste Awards! With Food & Drink Wales as the main sponsor, as well as the proud sponsor of the Welsh category, it was a fantastic chance to celebrate the outstanding quality of Welsh produce.

They had the tough task of tasting some incredible food and drink from across the UK and beyond, helping to select the very best in flavour, texture, and innovation.

A huge well done to all the Welsh entries—fingers crossed for some well-deserved gold stars!

Read more about the Guild of Fine Foods - Great Taste Awards.

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In Other News

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Food & Drink Wales Brand Toolkit - Now Available

Food & Drink Wales Brand Toolkit

We’re excited to introduce the Food & Drink Wales Best Practice Brand Toolkit - your go-to guide for applying our brand consistently. This practical resource ensures a clear, professional identity for all.

Log in to the members' area now to explore the toolkit and download brand assets!

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ABOUT this newsletter

Newsletter for the Welsh food and drink industry with news, events, and matters relating to the industry in Wales. 

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Bwyd a Diod Cymru | Food and Drink Wales