The Welsh Government's Deputy First Minister with responsibility for climate change and rural affairs toured the flagship Food & Drink Wales Business Lounge at the Royal Welsh Show to see how support is delivering major commercial opportunities for food and drink businesses.
This year around 2,000 products from more than 300 producers were on display in the Business Lounge.
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.
Funded by the Welsh Government, Cywain has been the launch-pad for countless up-and-coming food and drink producers. This year 16 producers were 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.”
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.”
