Five aspiring food and drink professionals gain commercial insight at Royal Welsh Show

Daniel Bevan - Editor

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Five people interested in careers in the food and drink industry were given a behind-the-scenes look at the commercial side of the sector at this year’s Royal Welsh Show.

The opportunity was delivered through the Welsh Government’s Sgiliau Bwyd a Diod Cymru / Food & Drink Skills Wales programme, with the successful applicants visiting the Welsh Government Food Division’s Business Lounge and Product Showcase in the Food Hall.

The invitation-only Business Lounge brings together buyers, suppliers and industry representatives, while the showcase features more than 2,000 products from over 300 Welsh businesses.

Working with industry experts and the Welsh Government’s Food & Drink Trade Development Programme, participants explored how Welsh products are brought to market. Discussions covered branding, consumer insight, access to markets, partnerships and new product development.

They also met representatives from buying teams and learned about the sales and negotiation processes involved in securing shelf space with retailers and foodservice businesses.

The five successful candidates represented Coleg Cambria, Coleg Sir Gâr, Cardiff Metropolitan University and food and drink businesses from across Wales.

Zeynep Yağmur İnci, a student at Cardiff Metropolitan University, said: “Attending the Royal Welsh Show was an incredibly inspiring experience and a valuable opportunity to connect with professionals from across the food and drink industry.

“Speaking with experts and learning more about the sector has strengthened my enthusiasm for pursuing a career in food science and given me a greater insight into the wide range of opportunities available.

“I left the event feeling motivated, encouraged, and excited about my future in the industry.”

The group also toured the Food Hall, meeting Welsh producers and gaining an insight into the commercial activity taking place at the agricultural event.

Robert Ayers, of 5th Flock, said: “This unique experience provided a fantastic opportunity to connect with fellow food and drink producers and gain fresh insights into the industry.

“As the founder of 5th Flock, creators of the UK’s first gin and spiced rum infused with sheep’s milk, I found it incredibly valuable to meet businesses from across the sector, share experiences, and learn from others’ journeys.

“One of the highlights for me was hearing more about the newly launched Dairy Sheep Wales Cluster and the exciting opportunities it offers to support innovation, collaboration, and growth within the Welsh dairy sheep industry.

“I left feeling inspired, informed, and optimistic about the future of this unique and growing sector.”

Llyr Gruffydd, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Resilience and Sustainability, said: “Wales has a vibrant and ambitious food and drink industry, driven by the passion, innovation and expertise of the people working within it.

“The Royal Welsh Show provides an ideal platform to showcase the sector’s success and the wealth of opportunities it offers.

“I am pleased that through the Welsh Government’s Sgiliau Bwyd a Diod Cymru / Food & Drink Skills Wales programme, these aspiring professionals were able to gain first-hand experience of the commercial side of the industry and build valuable connections with businesses from across Wales.

“Initiatives such as this are vital in inspiring and developing the next generation of talent, helping to ensure our food and drink sector has the skilled workforce it needs to thrive.

“Investing in people is key to this. By providing opportunities to learn directly from industry experts and successful businesses, we are helping to create a pipeline of skilled professionals who will support the continued growth of this important sector.”