The Deputy First Minister with responsibility for climate change
and rural affairs toured the flagship Food & Drink Wales
Business Lounge at the Royal Welsh Show, today [Tuesday 22 July]
witnessing firsthand how Welsh Government support is delivering
major commercial opportunities for food and drink businesses
across Wales.
Last year, the Business Lounge achieved record-breaking results,
attracting 287 buyers from various market sectors and generating
£3.5 million in confirmed sales with another estimated £2 million
in potential sales. The event recorded over 1,080 business leads
– the highest buyer engagement to date for this programme.
In 2024, the showcase brought together key industry players
including 88 major retailers, foodservice companies and
wholesalers, 156 delis, farm shops and hospitality venues, and 43
public procurement representatives.
And this year, there will be around 2000 products from over 300
producers on display in the Business Lounge. The Deputy
First Minister had an opportunity to experience the buzz of the
business lounge and food hall and spoke to producers who were
looking forward to a busy Royal Welsh Show.
Funded by the Welsh Government, Cywain has been the
launch-pad for countless up-and-coming food and drink producers.
This year 16 producers are at the Royal Welsh Food Hall for
the first time.
Exhibiting at the Cywain stand, Claire Garland, Pembrokeshire
Cheesecake Company, said:
"As a small business, it's wonderful to be here today. The
facility provided through Cywain and Food Centre Wales to provide
a stall and set up the facility at the Royal Welsh, which
is a pinnacle for every small business, is absolutely priceless."
"Hopefully we'll make some good contacts here today. That's the
main reason to come, as well as showcasing my products, and see
where that takes us. We hope to have some really good leads from
today and that the business will continue to thrive."
Sioned from Snowdonia Wagyu, said: "To be on this stall
this year and have this kind of exposure is really
excellent. To come to the Royal Welsh to exhibit is a big
step. The actual cost of coming to a show for a small business is
just one factor, and because there's just the two of us on the
farm, it's nice to have that one day to test, just to see what
the reaction is and get the feedback from people. We
wouldn't be able to do four days - we've got to grow the business
a little bit first.
"It's really important that we have places like Cywain that can
offer us this support - from staging the stand to how to speak to
people and how to present your product as well. Selling the
product to somebody is a completely different ball game to
farming.
"It's imperative - that we have the support here in Wales."
Commenting on the visit, the Deputy First Minister said: "The
Food & Drink Wales Business Lounge demonstrates exactly how
our strategic support is creating real commercial opportunities
for Welsh producers. With £5 million in potential sales and over
1,000 business leads generated last year, this programme is
helping our food and drink sector thrive whilst supporting farm
diversification and rural sustainability.
"The Welsh food and drink industry is a cornerstone of our
economy and a source of immense national pride. Recent
figures show that the Welsh Food and Drink sector produced a
turnover more than £10 billion, while the supply chain employed
in excess of 223,000 people accounting for 17% of Wales' total
workforce.
“It was a pleasure to have a tour this morning and to meet the
producers and It's exciting to see Welsh businesses connecting
with major buyers and securing new market opportunities."
