West Midlands food and drink producers are being invited to tempt international buyers with their tasty treats at an exclusive “meet the buyers” event in Staffordshire next week. Organised by the Department for International Trade (DIT) West Midlands, the free, day-long event on September 8, 2016, at Halfpenny Green Vineyards, Bobbington, Staffordshire, aims to introduce buyers to the region’s food and drink makers.
Buyers from more than a dozen countries, including Ireland, India, Romania, Poland, China, Croatia, Slovenia, and Czech Republic, will be among those attending the event – all looking for new brands and products for their markets.
And producers who attend can also speak to DIT’s expert international trade advisers (ITAs), who will be on hand to advise on how to take a product into a new market or expand into different outlets or channels.
Christine Hamilton, interim regional director of the Department for International Trade West Midlands, said it was the ideal opportunity for producers to get their brands in front of buyers who are keen to stock UK food and drink products.
She said: “We have some incredible food and drink producers in the West Midlands region – from the smallest start-ups to those who are already working on a more industrial scale.
“It doesn’t matter how big or small your company is, there are some amazing opportunities to get your brand out into the global market. Right now, there are more than 150 live export opportunities for UK businesses available through our Exporting is GREAT website, including ready meals for the Polish market and jam and cheese for Denmark, and marmalade for the Brazilian market.
“British food and drink is sought after across the world and many producers in our region are already benefitting from exporting. The Halfpenny Green event is the perfect time to get advice and to get your goods seen by influential buyers.”
Philip Foster, co-owner of Cannock-based Jethro’s, said he hopes to attract interest in his company’s marinades and sauces. He and his wife Annette launched the company in February 2015 and the products are already stocked in 35 outlets across England.
He is now working with Tracey Brown, an ITA in the Department for International Trade’s Staffordshire team, to expand the brand’s reach overseas.
He said: “We’re really keen to explore the global opportunities and have already had enquiries from overseas, so we are hoping that by working with Tracey and attending this event, we’ll be able to make a start on exporting.”
The food and drink event at Halfpenny Green Vineyards takes place between 1100-1700 on September 8. Attendees are asked to take a small selection of products to display at the tabletop expo.
The following day, DIT export experts is joining forces with organisers of the Ludlow Food Festival and Buy-From Shropshire, which showcases producers and artists from the county, to offer visitors and exhibitors the chance to learn more about exporting.
