UK government helps businesses overseas

In the past two years, the UK government has supported 4,000 food and drink businesses to export almost £1 billion of British produce to shops and restaurants around the world.

Addressing attendees at the Anuga show being held in Cologne, Germany this week, farming minster George Eustice says, “This government is backing Britain’s world class food and farming industry, helping a record 4,000 British businesses to put their top quality produce on supermarket shelves and restaurant menus around the world.

“The companies exhibiting at Anuga are flying the flag for British produce. Their excellent standards of safety and welfare are world class, and the huge variety of produce they have on offer is second to none.

“I’d like to see even more of our food and drink companies starting to export their great British produce, using the support and advice the government can offer and making the most of the opportunities created as we negotiate to open new markets.”

Producers are building on the reputation of British food overseas by using British branding such as union flags and iconic British scenes into the design of their packaging, so shoppers around the world can be confident they are buying a British product.

Wkye Farms, for example, recently launched a new British flag themed brand specifically targeted at export customers.

Rich Clothier, managing director of Wyke Farms, comments, “In October we will export over 300 tonnes of award winning Wyke Farms cheddar to over 160 countries worldwide. Our new bespoke global ‘British brand’ for our export range allows us to communicate all of our credentials such as quality, provenance and green energy, all of which are so important to the global market.

“We have had good support along the way from UKTI and the CBI who have helped us by using their network of contacts, giving us advice in these new and emerging regions.”