Statistics published today show the food and drink industry in
Wales grew by 10% last year.
Businesses in the sector had a total turnover of £24.6bn in 2023,
compared to £22.3bn in 2022.
The statistics are for the food and drink supply chain, which
contains manufacturing and packaging, agriculture and fishing,
retail and wholesale, and non-residential catering.
The number of businesses increased by 1%, to 28,768 in 2023. The
food and drink supply chain employed 228,500 people in Wales in
2023, equivalent to 17% of Wales' total workforce.
The Welsh Government set a target to grow the value of the ‘food
foundation' sector to at least £8.5 billion by 2025. The sector
includes businesses that produce, process, manufacture and
wholesale food and drink goods, some of which receive direct
support from Food and Drink Wales. The sector had a turnover of
£9.3bn in 2023, with the £8.5bn target being reached two years
early.
The statistics have been published alongside Food Matters:
Wales by the First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for
Climate Change at the Royal Welsh Show today.
Food Matters: Wales has been produced to bring together
the Welsh Government's food-related policies into one document.
It brings together policies which directly support the agri-food
industry and natural resource management, and wider food-related
policies across health, education, sustainability, communities
and the economy.
First Minister said:
“Our food industry is at the heart of our lives, our communities
and our nation. We must support the sector to cultivate a more
self-sufficient Wales, where we champion sustainability and
foster a robust local element to the food system and supply
chains.
“I'm really pleased to see that, thanks to the ambition,
innovation and hard work of the Welsh food and drink industry,
and despite the challenging macroeconomic climate, the supply
chain has continued to grow. I'm especially pleased to see the
growth in our foundation food sector, which is at the grassroots
of our burgeoning food and drink economy.”
Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, , said:
“Welsh food and drink is a real success story and its economic
contribution to the Welsh Economy is higher than ever.
“This success creates the wealth that underpins the development
of our vital agri-food industry.
“Food Matters: Wales is the first document of its kind
and outlines the range of policies which provide an integrated
approach to supporting the growth of the industry. It brings home
how food connects so many policy areas – health, the environment,
the economy, prosperity, and our sense of place and community,
here in Wales.
“We have now passed the economic target we set ourselves by 2025
and we can truly say Wales is a Food Nation and this is a real
partnership success.”
Notes to editors
The version of Food Matters (attached) is in draft. The final
version will be published on the Welsh Government website on
Monday 22nd July.
