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Rebecca Evans leads lamb trade mission to Norway
Deputy Minister for Farming and Food, Rebecca Evans, has returned from a trade mission to Norway where she has been promoting Welsh Lamb.
A delegation, which included Hybu Cig Cymru, travelled to Oslo last Monday where they met with trade representatives and importers and processors to help further raise the profile of Welsh lamb and discuss opportunities for further exporting the premium product to meet the growing demand for lamb amongst Norwegian consumers.
The Deputy Minister also met representatives from the Norwegian Ministry of Agriculture to gain an understanding of market and trade requirements in Norway and discuss what the Welsh Government can do to successfully promote more Welsh products there.
Rebecca Evans said:
“Norway is an important and valued export destination for Welsh Lamb and so this mission was a good opportunity for us to learn about any barriers that could be preventing further exports.
“I am grateful for the welcome afforded to our delegation by the Norwegian Government and hope that these talks lead to a continued healthy and productive relationship between our two nations.
“I have total confidence in Welsh lamb and am committed to investing in the future of Welsh farming to ensure we maintain the quality of excellent products such this one.”
Welsh Lamb exports were worth £154.7 million in 2013, and while continental European markets continue to be the backbone of our exports, new and emerging markets can enable Welsh Lamb to enter the premium market sector and generate additional returns.
These markets include the Middle East, Far East, Canada and Scandinavia and the Deputy Minister was keen to stress the importance of trade missions to securing business there.
She said:
“I am committed to strengthening Wales’ food and drinks sector and will do all I can to ensure Wales makes the most of these opportunities so that our food industry can continue to grow and reach its full potential.
"By supporting and encouraging Welsh companies, and products, to develop new markets overseas, particularly new and emerging ones, we can promote further sustainable economic growth."
Additional Welsh Government funding has been provided to HCC for the delivery of an enhanced export programme over three years to maximise export sales and generate additional sales of £9.2m over three years.
