A new blueprint to encourage more UK agri-food businesses to export is due to be launched by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB).

AHDB will unveil its new strategy during its annual invite-only Export Conference at Butchers’ Hall, London on 22 June.

The strategy will include plans to encourage more businesses to develop their export potential with the help of enhanced AHDB services including bespoke training and advice and industry-leading marketing support. It will support AHDB’s ambition to help increase market access and export sales by championing the reputation of UK products overseas and to encourage more businesses to explore export possibilities with AHDB’s support.

AHDB’s Export Conference will also feature AHDB and external speakers as part of its wider programme, providing insight for delegates into growing markets including Asia, the Americas and the Middle East and what AHDB is doing to maximise their full potential.

Exports and international market development is a critical part of AHDB’s work for levy payers, already delivering a raft of key activities, working with industry stakeholders to ensure a presence at key global food trade events. This year this has included the Annual Meat Conference (AMC) in the US, Gulfood in the Middle East, SIAL China and FoodEx in Japan. More recently AHDB hosted a delegation of key buyers from Japan in a five-day mission to the UK to learn more about sustainable beef, lamb and pork production.

AHDB continues to work collaboratively with industry and government to help UK exporters of red meat and dairy products maximise the opportunities available in existing and new markets. Last year saw the value of red meat exports hit record levels at £1.7 billion with dairy achieving a similar level.

AHDB Chair Nicholas Saphir said: “AHDB’s export work includes helping to secure access to new markets, providing valuable market analysis and insight via our Market Intelligence team, and promoting the reputation of our products to foreign buyers. Importantly, with both knowledge and boots on the ground, we have a strong track record of delivering tangible results.

“Our levy payers have told us how much they value our work and want to see more of it. The development of our new export strategy is aimed at acting as a springboard for further global success for our red meat and dairy products.

“This Export Conference will provide a vital platform to present the enhanced services that AHDB will provide. Export development remains one of the cornerstones of AHDB’s work and I’m excited at how we can play our part in maximising the potential for the future – exports can help levy payers improve overall returns, while supporting the UK government’s wider ambition to become a ‘Great Trading Nation’.”