UK food and drink businesses keen to fine-tune their export offering are being encouraged to attend a major trade show, where they will be able to connect with other companies and tap into the knowledge of leading voices from within the sector.
The International Food & Drink Event (IFE), which will convene 1,500 food and drink suppliers and 30,000 industry figures, gets underway on 17 March at ExCeL London, a major venue located in the east of the capital.
On 18 March, the UK government's Department for Business and Trade (DBT) will host a networking event where representatives from Navigator Global and organisations such as the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) and UK Export Finance will share their knowledge and give companies the inside track on how to trade in international markets.
According to the DBT, the free event offers companies a "unique opportunity to learn from business leaders, fellow peers and industry experts on how to successfully grow your business overseas." The event will be of use to food and drink companies specialising in a range of products, from snacks and soft drinks to ready meals and vegan goods.
Speakers slated to appear at the DBT's event include Wrexham Lager CEO James Wright and Sanjay Aggarwal, the co-founder of Spice Kitchen. Michael Philpott, senior sales manager Europe and USA at Whittard's of Chelsea, and Damien McCrory, national account manager at Forest Feast, will also be in attendance to provide their insights on trading internationally.
This year's IFE takes place during a challenging time for food and drink exporters. According to figures compiled by the FDF towards the end of last year, food and drink exports in the first nine months of 2024 slumped by 10.2% to £16.3bn.
The decline was in large part down to what the FDF describes as a "significant drop in alcohol sales", with the industry body also highlighting "persistent administrative burdens" which it says are "continuing to create barriers to trade with Europe."