The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board attended two major events this week to showcase British produce.

AHDB Pork, Dairy and Cereals exhibited at Mexico’s largest international food and drink fair, Expo ANTAD & Alimentaria Mexico, joining more than 340 international food and beverage companies from 28 countries.

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Above:Mexico Expo

High quality pork from Britain also took centre stage at the largest food and drink international trade show in Japan this week.

AHDB returned to FOODEX in Tokyo on Tuesday for the four-day event, which is expected to attract more than 80,000 buyers from the food service sector, distribution and trading companies.

In Mexico as well as showcasing a range of products from Britain, the aim of the visit was to meet with importers, understand the consumption trends of the market and look at future opportunities for exports.

In its second year, the show – which was held in Guadalajara – is aimed at the retail sector and the entire food industry from distribution and supermarkets to restaurants and hotel chains.

It is promoted as an international business platform where producers and buyers meet to strengthen relationships and explore new opportunities for the sector.

AHDB’s Export Manager for Livestock Susana Morris said: “This show provided AHDB with a fantastic opportunity to promote our high quality products while looking at consumer trends to see what potential there is for exporters in the UK.

“Mexico has the potential to act as a springboard into the wider region as well as being an attractive market in its own right. We do not currently export to Mexico but this is a country that is open and ready to do business.”

Mexico is a big importer of pork despite the fact the country reported one of the biggest rates of growth in pork production in 2017. However, it does not have enough supply to satisfy its own demand.

Ms Morris added: “It is estimated the country will consume two million tonnes of pork this year so it’s a market we cannot afford to overlook. During our visit, we met with potential importers, gained a better insight into favoured cuts and explored where our products would be best suited in this lucrative and all-important market.”

In Japan the show attracted importers from around Asia – with 15 per cent of visitors in previous years attending from overseas.

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At the event, AHDB Pork showcased high quality pork on its stand in the Great British Pavilion and will be joined by four UK exporters.

AHDB also served pork at a high-profile networking reception held at the British Ambassador’s Residence on Tuesday evening to celebrate the UK’s presence at FOODEX 2018.

Jonathan Eckley, AHDB’s Senior Export Manage for Livestock, said: “This is an incredibly important show for AHDB as it allows us to showcase high quality pork from Britain on a global platform to buyers in the all-important Asian market.”