Welsh Government data shows that Welsh food and drink exports were worth £641m in 2021 and total UK agri-food exports were valued at £20.2bn.
Last year, in our export strategy we set out our ambition to grow UK agri-food exports by 30% to £33 billion by 2030. To achieve this ambition, we identified a ten-point plan which envisages government and industry working together to maximise our export success. Over recent months we have seen significant progress which is reported below.
Agriculture Attachés
NFU Cymru has lobbied hard to secure eight new agricultural attachés who will fly out to post in the coming months. The new attachés will join the three already in post, covering China, the Gulf, Japan, USA, South America, Thailand, India and many other markets. The role of an agri-food attaché is to broaden market access, break down barriers and drive export growth in priority international markets through in-country engagement. Essentially, these attachés will be the UK’s eyes, ears and voice in overseas market.
NFU Cymru is keen to ensure that the new attachés are armed with the knowledge and contacts to be able to thrive in their role and promote our agri-food exports. As part of this effort, we recently joined colleagues from the NFU International Trade team in hosting a ‘walk the dairy supply chain’ as part of their induction programme.
Success story
UK dairy exports are a success story and we currently export the equivalent of four billion litres of milk a year worth over £1.6bn to over 135 countries around the world.
We first visited a cheese maker to hear about their exporting story and how the attachés could work in new international markets to support British dairy producers to export more. With sustainability and food safety in focus for international consumers, we heard how the British dairy industry is well placed to service these new markets. We also discussed the work AHDB do with in-country trade shows and events, highlighting the need for the UK Government and Welsh Government to work together to ensure Welsh food and drink is promoted with one consistent and coherent message.
Value of Geographical Indicators
Over a tour of the factory, we discussed the value of Geographical Indicators, such as Caerphilly Cheese or Welsh lamb, to producers and highlighted the importance of ensuring the province and heritage of these products is protected and promoted.
During the day we visited two dairy farms, one producing milk for cheese making and another producing milk for upmarket barista coffee shops. With the one farm operating a rotary parlour and the other a pedigree Guernsey herd, it was an excellent example of the diversity that exists within our industry and highlighted to the Attaches the significant investment farmers make both in on-farm infrastructure and genetics. The attachés also got a taste of life on a dairy farm and alongside learning about forage and visiting youngstock they got stuck into milking – which included an unfortunate reminder on why people wear waterproofs in the parlour!
Food & Drink Export Council hosts first meeting
Progress has also been made elsewhere on exports and following significant lobbying the UK Government has set up the Food and Drink Export Council which met earlier this year for the first time.
The aim of the council is to bring together industry experts and governments from Westminster, Cardiff, Edinburgh, and Belfast to work together to promote exports from all parts of the UK. We believe this is a crucial step towards promoting farmers' interests overseas as the council can provide strategic oversight and co-ordination to help identify additional measures that will help deliver increased exports. In this regard, we expect the council to have a very strong focus on the development and delivery of a long-term strategic plan to drive growth in agriculture, food and drink exports.
NFU Cymru is represented by Director of Trade and Business Strategy Nick von Westenholz who sits on the council which will be co-chaired by the Minster for Exports, Andrew Bowie MP (Cons, West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine) and industry co-chair Ian Wright (formerly CEO of the Food and Drink Federation).
Next Steps
Across agriculture there is a consensus that securing and maximising access to overseas markets is a crucial component of a farming sector. The export market gives us a way to add value to products, especially those which we may not value or consumer here and complements our efforts on the domestic market.
With demand for climate friendly and high-quality products growing around the world, Welsh farmers are perfectly placed to service these new international consumers. NFU Cymru will continue to work with officials and elected representatives in Cardiff and Westminster to champion our Welsh food and drink products to ensure more of our products reach dinner plates around the world.
