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The Blas Cymru Brokerage took place on 22–23 October 2025 at the ICC Wales, Newport. The event brought together 151 producers, including 30 Rising Stars, and 321 buyers—282 from the UK and 39 international—to help drive exports and further elevate Wales’ food and drink sector on the global stage.
 Above: Huw Irranca-Davies, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs at Blas Cymru Taste Wales. Below: Jack Sargeant MS, the Minister for Culture, Skills and Social Partnership, officially opened Blas Cymru Taste Wales 2025.
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“Blas Cymru Taste Wales 2025 is a celebration of the creativity and excellence that define our food and drink sector. This event brings together the best of Welsh producers, showcasing their innovation and ambition to buyers from across the globe." - Jack Sargeant MS |
The Brokerage included a Ministerial welcome dinner on the eve of the event. Over the following two days, attendees participated in a wide range of activities including a networking dinner, industry showcases, and guided tours of the event, which were attended by 22 companies. Industry showcases highlighted GI products, meat, dairy, seafood, and horticulture, with experts on hand to provide guidance and support to businesses. A total of 200 new product ranges were launched during the event.
Blas Cymru underwent a transformative change in 2024, with the exhibition and brokerage separated into two distinct events. The inaugural Blas Cymru Conference took place in October 2024; the next Blas Cymru Conference is scheduled for Autumn 2026 and will further build on this evolution. The two-day conference aims to showcase the extensive infrastructure and support available to the Welsh food and drink industry.
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Huge congratulations to Phillipa from Flavour Moments, winner of the Most Exciting New Product Award at our Blas Cymru Taste Wales 2025 event!
Based in North Wales, Flavour Moments Wales specialises in creating unique, fun and flavoursome experiences for cheese lovers who love to socialise and share. They were part of the Rising Star Market Place at the event. |
This dedicated space gave buyers the chance to connect with the next big names in Welsh food and drink. At the event, Philippa got to share her innovative goat's cheese pearls with buyers, who got to sample and learn more about what makes Flavour Moments so special.
These innovations are driven by Welsh Government initiatives such as the Food Technology Centre with The HELIX Programme, Cluster Network and Cywain, which support collaboration, creativity and growth across the sector, from start-ups to established brands.
Congratulations again Phillipa, we can't wait to see what's next for Flavour Moments Wales!
See and hear more from Phillipa about winning the award.
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An exclusive study visit organised by Cywain offered participants a vital, behind-the-scenes look at Blas Cymru Taste Wales, the flagship trade and export event for the Welsh food and drink industry. This immersive tour was specifically designed to give attendees a clear understanding of what is required to attend and succeed at future events.
 Members - Centre for African Entrepreneurship
Cywain were supported in the recruitment of the Study Tour by The Centre for African Entrepreneurship, as part of a wider Welsh Government Working Group on Diversity. The purpose of this is to increase the access to support from Cywain and other programmes in the food and drink industry and increase the diversity of the sector. 25 aspiring food and drink entrepreneurs attended gaining ideas, inspiration and insight into their category and boosting confidence in setting-up their own business. We hope that these businesses will grow and develop to exhibit at future Blas Cymru / Taste Wales events.
A key highlight was the exclusive access to the brokerage zone, a dynamic hub where approximately 150 Welsh producers were lined up to engage with nearly 300 invited buyers. Observing these high-stakes meetings provided an unparalleled insight into the trade connections and pitching skills essential for securing new business.
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The morning began with an introductory workshop, offering a comprehensive overview of the event's structure. Crucially, this included insights from producers who were actively pitching their products that year, sharing real-world experiences and tactical advice. The visit concluded with the highly valuable 'Taste Wales' |
networking lunch, ensuring delegates had ample opportunity to build connections with industry peers, producers, and potential partners. The study tour proved to be an invaluable professional development opportunity, equipping participants with the knowledge and contacts needed to join the Welsh food and drink sector on the global stage.
“I enjoyed meeting other like-minded people who were in similar situations in terms of the stage of their business and hearing about challenges they've faced and how they were overcome.” - Derwydd Organics
“Inspirational… it gave a fantastic insight to what is expected of businesses when they’ll be attending Blas Cymru in the future.” - Sumptuous Bakery
Instagram users can view an informative reel that was posted during the event.
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 The Blas Cymru Taste Wales Conference and Exhibition 2024
Blas Cymru Taste Wales - Meet the Buyer was a celebration of everything that makes Welsh food and drink world-class. Diolch to everyone who joined us and helped make it such a success.
Meet the Buyer is the premier trade event in Wales for buyers and suppliers of Welsh food and drink. It is an industry trade show not open to the public.
If you are a business, trade partner, or industry stakeholder interested in exhibiting and promoting your services, or in sponsorship for Blas Cymru one of our most prestigious brands, you may be interested in the Blas Cymru Conference planned for October 2026.
Please contact: blascymru.tastewales@gov.wales
Instagram Blas Cymru Taste Wales 2025
Facebook Blas Cymru Taste Wales 2025
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Many of you will be aware that I chaired the Food and Drink Board for eight years until January 2024. I remain on the Board because I am committed to supporting its success as a vital conduit between the Welsh food and drink industry and government.
As Chair, I oversaw the Board during:
- Brexit
- Covid
- And early parts of the Ukraine crisis which sadly continues to this day
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It taught me that more resilient businesses emerge stronger from these crises!
I also saw that the real power of collaboration within the industry and with government. This is something that many businesses have embraced and they have created:
- stronger supply chains
- fewer volatile businesses
- and real “win-win” business relationships
Continue Reading this update on the FDIWB Website
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Why support and training are key to achieving business sustainability goals
 Amid all the pressures faced by today’s food & drinks manufacturers, the added challenge of meeting increasingly stringent environmental expectations can seem insurmountable. Yet, with centralised government help, gradual progression towards a greener future can bring multiple benefits, including improvement in the bottom line, as businesses based in Wales are discovering.
Continue reading the article on the Food Manufacture Website.
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 For the first time ever, sustainability had a dedicated presence at Blas Cymru’s Brokerage Zone—and it was a resounding success! The sustainability stand brought fresh energy to Wales’s flagship food and drink trade event, proving that environmental responsibility and business growth go hand in hand.
Throughout the event, the stand became a vibrant hub of activity. Producers, retailers, and industry leaders stopped by to explore practical tools, inspiring case studies, and new ideas for embedding sustainability into their operations. From Carbon Reduction to Climate Adaptation and Resilience Training, the message was clear: Welsh Government provides comprehensive and fully funded support which is not just good for the planet but also good for business.
The response was overwhelmingly positive. Many attendees shared how the stand helped them rethink their approach, sparking new collaborations and future plans. It was a powerful reminder that the Welsh food and drink sector is ready to lead the way in building a greener, more resilient future.
This milestone marks a turning point for Blas Cymru. By placing sustainability at the heart of the room and the conversation, the event showcased how innovation and environmental stewardship can drive growth, competitiveness, and long-term success.
Here’s to the businesses who are already making a difference—and to those ready to take the next step. Sustainability isn’t a side note anymore. It’s centre stage.
Find out more at Food and Drink Wales - Sustainability
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The Sustainability Cluster are hosting several waste reduction and valorisation workshops to help Welsh suppliers tackle waste in their business and identify opportunities to add value to by-product and improve their profitability. Welsh food and drink producers will benefit from:
- Overview and tour of each facility
- Discussion with Industry Experts
- Producer Case Studies
- Best Practise Techniques
The workshops are being held on:
Valorisation - Friday 28th November - Aber Innovation
Waste Reduction - Thursday 4th December - Food Centre Wales
Valorisation - Friday 23rd January - Wrexham University
Waste Reduction - Wednesday 11th February - Food Technology Centre
For more information or to register, please email charlotte.parry@levercliff.co.uk
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To help tackle food poverty, the Sustainability Cluster is partnering with FareShare Cymru to support producers in donating surplus food through the Surplus with Purpose fund. The fund covers all costs associated with staffing, packaging and transport, and since 2024 has helped contribute to an estimated 814,285 meals for people who need them most.
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A brochure published by the Sutainability Cluster, in collaboration with FareShare Cymru, tells the story of the impact that donating surplusfood to FareShare Cymru has. Explore inspiring case studies, see the regions FareShare Cymru supports, and learn how your business can make a difference. By donating your surplus food, free of charge, you help fight food waste and feed communities in need. |
Supporting FareShare Cymru - Brochure
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Following debate and Senedd approval, the Regulations have now been made and are due to come into force on 21 November 2025.
The Regulations remove the 12-week derogation, allowing free-range poultrymeat to keep its status during any mandatory housing period. Producers no longer need to relabel or repackage during Avian Influenza housing orders.
This change in Wales provides consistency with the rest of the UK and EU and supports a level trading environment for Welsh poultry producers.
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