Johnson hosts festive food and drink market at Downing Street

Prime Minister Boris Johnson hosted a festive food and drink market at Downing Street yesterday (30 November), ahead of Small Business Saturday.

The event showcased British businesses that are making the most out of the international trade policy.

“It’s great to see the best of British food and drink here in Downing Street, especially in the run up to Christmas. We currently export to 207 countries but this government is supporting British food and drink exporters to sell even more of their brilliant produce abroad,” Johnson said.

Twelve businesses held market stalls in Downing Street to showcase their finest products including Snowdonia Cheese, a Welsh cheese company; Tayto, a Northern Irish snack company; Loch Fyne Oysters, a Scottish seafood company; and Montezuma’s, an English chocolate company.

Those invited to the event also include the co-founder of Fever-Tree Drinks, the homegrown premium soft drinks company established in 2004, which is now the world’s leading premium mixer brand, exporting to over 80 countries worldwide and selling more than 500 million bottles in 2020.

The prime minister also spoke to the owner of Wilkins and Sons, who have been making quality preserves since 1885. Wilkins and Sons now export to over 60 countries across the world and brought in a turnover of £49 million in 2019 alone.

Johnson was joined by cabinet ministers including, Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng, Food and Agriculture Secretary George Eustice, Trade Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan as well as Minister for Exports Mike Freer.

“We want people at home and abroad to be lining up to buy British,” George Eustice said. “What we have announced today will further unlock the potential of new and existing markets, enabling our farmers and food and drink producers to take advantage of new opportunities and fly the flag for UK produce around the world.”

The government has also announced several measures to support the agri-food and drink sector, including new agri-food and drink attachés in key markets. As well as posts in China, the US, India, Canada and Mexico, the agri-food attachés will be covering growth markets in the Gulf, Africa, South America and the Asia-Pacific region. There will also be additional capacity and resource in Europe.

The government has also created new trade and investment teams in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Northeast.

Earlier this month, the government launched an Export Strategy that aims to help businesses double exports and sell their world-class products around the globe.