A selection of Scotland’s premium food and drink produce will be on display at one of the world’s biggest trade events which kicks off today in Singapore.
Scottish Development International (SDI), the international arm of Scottish Enterprise, will lead a delegation of 13 companies at Food & Hotel Asia (FHA), the continent’s largest food and drink trade event.
Approximately 35,000 attendees from more than 50 countries and regions across the world are expected to attend the event, which should provide the Scottish firms in attendance with valuable access to distributors, importers, manufacturers and retailers.
SDI will host the Scottish producers, ranging from whisky distillers and craft brewers to plant-based snack manufacturers and soft fruit growers, on the Scotland pavilion at FHA, which runs until Thursday. It will also co-host a networking reception for buyers at the British High Commissioner's Residence tomorrow evening.
Neil McInnes, head of southeast Asia and Asia Pacific lead for consumer industries at SDI, said: “Scotland is renowned overseas as a land of food and drink, particularly here in the Asia Pacific region.
“This is the first major trade show in Asia that Scottish companies will have travelled out to post-Covid, as we look to support companies to re-engage with customers and support their continued recovery, post-pandemic by helping them to target new markets in Asia Pacific.”
One of the Scottish firms that will be exhibiting is Bellfield Brewery, the Edinburgh-based brewer producing naturally gluten free and vegan craft beers.
Sales manager Elliot Lamb, who will be travelling out to Singapore, said: “We’re already seeing good export growth in the European market but exhibiting at Food & Hotel Asia gives us an opportunity to showcase our fantastic range of craft beers to a new audience.
“We’ve identified Asia, and specifically Singapore, as a priority for our export business in the future and we are hoping to meet with importers and distributors from multiple markets across Southeast Asia and the wider APAC market.”
The Scottish presence at FHA follows a successful trade mission led by Seafood Scotland at the Japan Seafood Show last month. Six Scottish firms attended the event, which was held in Tokyo.
FHA also precedes a learning journey to Singapore by Seafood Scotland and SDI later this month where a further six Scottish seafood producers will be meeting a range of trade buyers involved in retail and foodservice.
SDI trade specialists are seeing growing interest from Scottish exporters to trade in Asia, as well as more demand from overseas buyers looking for premium Scottish produce.
During 2021 and 2022 there has been a near doubling of trade opportunities in the region for Scottish firms, compared to the previous financial year.
McInnes added: “Our intelligence also suggests that Scottish companies expect to see their export levels increase during 2022/23.
“That’s why we are strengthening our engagement with exporters and enhancing our presence in key markets, including here in Singapore, as well as in new markets like Indonesia, where we’ve recently recruited SDI’s first dedicated food and drink specialist based in Jakarta.”
John Davidson, interim chief executive at Scotland Food & Drink, added: “Exports of Scottish food and drink around the world were valued at £6.2bn in 2021, up £738m (13.5%) compared to 2020 and up over 14% for the Asia Pacific region.
“While our producers continue to face challenges in the face of rising costs, there does continue to be significant market opportunities for our food and drink companies and our activity is designed to help them take advantage of these opportunities, including raising their profile at the Food & Hotel Asia event."
FHA coincides with Scottish Food and Drink Fortnight, which started on 2 September. The annual showcase aims to champion Scotland’s food and drink sector by shining a light on those who are driving the industry forward with new products.
The full list of the 13 Scottish companies that SDI will be hosting are:
Scotch Whisky and Spirits
- Arbikie Highland Estate
- Douglas Laing
- Duncan Taylor
- Glasgow Distillery
- Isle of Barra Distillers
- Summerhall Distillery
Bakery and Premium Grocery
- Angus Soft Fruits
- Ashers Bakery
- Nudie Snacks
- Reid's Bakery
- The Scottish Bee Company
Craft Beer
- Bellfield Brewery
Services
- Contagious
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