New food export markets ‘could take 10 years to develop’

Promar International director John Giles explained the challenges of building new food and drink export markets in this exclusive video, filmed at the Food Manufacture Group’s Business Leaders’ Forum filmed in the London offices of host sponsor DWF last Tuesday (January 24). 

The video also features the DIT’s Professor Paul Berryman, who is taking part in the US trade mission this week.

“If you look at examples from around the world in terms of developing trade relationships, usually there are talks about talks, then a period of negotiation and then there’s implementation,”​ said Giles.

‘Anywhere between five to 10 years’​

“That process can take anywhere between five to 10 years​,” he added.

Also, even after a trade deals had been forged, exporters needed to understand the market and win customers. “Just having trade access is one thing. Having customers and understanding the market, culture and consumers is another thing altogether,”​ ​said Giles.

“And you need to be doing both at the same time.” ​

Meanwhile, Berryman told FoodManufacture.co.uk this week’s US trade mission aimed to promote Britain as a great place to do business.

‘Great place to do businesses’​

“It’s important we get the message across that Britain is open for business,”​ said Berryman. “It’s a great place to do business in the food and drink sector.”​

Berryman is touring four US cities – New York, Chicago, Denver and Dallas – in a bid to persuade US firms to choose the UK for the international expansion of their food and drink companies. Five key reasons underpin the case for US investment in the UK food and drink industry, said Berryman. Topping his list were the nation’s innovative food and drink products and its dynamic business environment. See the full list in the box below.

The Food Manufacture Group’s Business Leaders’ Forum​ was held at the London office of host sponsor law firm DWF. Other sponsors included: RSA Insurance Group, packaging specialist Charpak and analytical testing provider ALS Life Sciences UK.

Meanwhile, watch out next week for more multi-media reports on FoodManufacture.co.uk and in the February edition of Food Manufacture​​.

• This video was filmed and edited by Matt Atherton.