Business West gives South West food and drink firms the opportunity to break into Australian market

15th June 2021

Today, 15th June 2021, food and drink firms in the South West were given the opportunity to break into the Australian market as Prime Minister Boris Johnson handed a bespoke hamper filled with food and drink products to Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison. 

The event aimed to showcase well-known, high quality Great British food and drink brands who are set to benefit from a free trade agreement with Australia (of which the broad terms were agreed on Monday 14 June). 

The hamper was set up as part of the Great British Food Programme, an initiative delivered by Business West to support UK food & drink producers to engage with international buyers across the world with events, workshops, and an online directory. 

Since November 2019, The Great British Food Programme has successfully shipped 68 Great British Food Boxes to a host of trusted buyers around the globe; containing products from 246 UK food and drink producers. 

Jim Cregan, Co-founder of Jimmy’s Iced Coffee, an iced coffee producer based in Christchurch whose products were included in the hamper said:

“The Great British food programme has helped Jimmy’s Iced Coffee identify new markets to export product to. 

“I have learned that unless you get yourself out there, you won’t have a chance to succeed at all. It’s this reason that I’d recommend them as they provide the best platform to succeed.”

Greg Springer, Commercial Director of Tregothnan, a tea producer based in Truro, Cornwall said:

“Tregothnan has been pleased and proud to be a part of the Great British Food Programme as it has helped showcase our English grown tea to markets across the globe 

“It is never too early (or too late) to think about export. As soon as you have a product you are happy to sell online, or to put in a shop in the next town over – you are ready to export. 

“The Great British Food Programme makes it easy for export to become a core part of your business, whether you just need a nudge and some guidance or even if you just want to sense check your ideas about a target market.”

James Monk, Director of Commercial Services at Business West said: 

“UK food and drink companies are recognised for their quality across the world and The Great British Food Programme is a way for these businesses to showcase their products to overseas customers.

“The total value of goods exported from the South West to Australia in 2020 amounted to 238m, accounting for 5.9% of total exports to the market, showing the strong existing demand.

“We will be working with businesses to help grow exports even further and I would encourage food and drink firms big and small to sign up to the Great British Food Programme to help them grow their international business in a lucrative market.”

If you are a UK food and drink producer looking to break into international markets, you can sign up for the Great British Food Programme here. 

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