International dairy buyers congregated at the Government’s Dairy Showcase, an initiative spearheaded in collaboration with the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB). This showcase aimed to enhance global exports of British dairy products.
Notably, the event attracted over 40 international buyers from regions including Asia, the Americas, the Middle East, Europe, and North Africa. In addition, approximately 60 businesses from Britain and Northern Ireland participated, demonstrating a strong commitment to expanding the UK’s dairy export market.
This week-long series of events, skillfully organized by the AHDB with robust cross-industry support, showcased the UK dairy sector. Its primary goal was to enhance overseas buyers’ understanding of the high standards upheld by British farms and dairy production practices. Featured products included a diverse range of offerings, such as cheese, butter, yogurt, and cream, which all received well-deserved attention.
To provide valuable insights, AHDB organized tours of dairy farms and processing facilities located in Somerset, Gloucestershire, Shropshire, and Lancashire. These tours allowed delegates to experience firsthand the complete farm-to-fork journey of British dairy products, reinforcing the quality and dedication behind UK dairy production.
Key Networking Opportunities at the Hertfordshire Event
The culmination of the week was marked by a ‘Meet the Buyer’ event, organized by the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) in Hertfordshire. This gala reception served as an essential platform for international buyers to connect with British export businesses. During this productive event, more than 320 business meetings occurred, facilitating invaluable networking opportunities and fostering new partnerships.
The Dairy Showcase was developed in consultation with the Dairy Export Taskforce and various industry stakeholders. This collaborative program aims to enhance the export capabilities of UK businesses while championing the superior quality of British dairy products on the global stage. The Dairy Export Taskforce consists of industry representatives and is supported by organizations like the AHDB, the National Farmers’ Union (NFU), Dairy UK, as well as government departments such as DBT and Defra.
Exports Minister Gareth Thomas underscored the significance of the UK dairy industry, stating, “The UK dairy industry is among the best in the world, exporting £2 billion of goods to over 130 countries last year.” He emphasized the government’s commitment to supporting dairy producers, particularly small to medium enterprises (SMEs). “We are backing our dairy producers – many of whom are SMEs – so they can increase their exporting capabilities, use trade agreements to access new routes to market, and continue to thrive and grow our economy,” he added.
Moreover, Farming and Food Minister Daniel Zeichner expressed strong government support for British produce. He stated, “The Government backs British produce, and it is great to see UK dairy products take centre stage at the Dairy Showcase.” He elaborated on the government’s measures, noting, “We have introduced new rules to improve fairness in the dairy supply chain and are seeking a new veterinary agreement with the European Union to tear down unnecessary barriers to trade. This is part of our new deal for farmers to boost food security, restore nature, and support rural economic growth.”
Finally, Graham Wilkinson, CEO of AHDB, emphasized the importance of collaboration within the industry. He explained, “AHDB, collaborating closely with industry, Government, and other key stakeholders, is committed to driving further export growth in the sector. The Dairy Showcase provided the perfect platform to highlight our world-leading products and high production standards.” Furthermore, he added, “It complemented AHDB’s extensive international market development activity, including inward and outward trade missions and participation in trade shows around the world. The showcase will help build and strengthen relationships between our exporters and buyers from multiple markets, creating further opportunities for our dairy exports on the global stage.”
