Welsh food sector leaders tackle resilience and growth challenges
Cardiff Met will host a major discussion on November 9 to address challenges and opportunities in Wales’ food and drink sector, with industry leaders focusing on resilience, economic growth, and policy solutions.
The event at the university’s Llandaff Campus, part of the INFORM Wales programme, brings together executives, researchers, and policymakers to examine how Wales can strengthen food security, reduce supply chain vulnerabilities, and boost local production. Organized by Business News Wales, the session will prioritize direct insights from producers, manufacturers, and hospitality groups over formal presentations.
Industry leaders to shape policy and investment
Participants include Professor David Lloyd, Chair of the Food & Drink Wales Industry Board, and David Harries OBE, Head of FDF Cymru, alongside representatives from UKHospitality Cymru, the CBI Wales, and the Welsh Government. The discussion will focus on two key areas: improving domestic production and supply chain resilience, and increasing economic value through innovation and skills development.
One challenge highlighted by organizers is the sector’s exposure to rising costs, labor shortages, and climate risks. Professor Peter Sykes, Head of the ZERO2FIVE Food Industry Centre, noted that connecting industry experience with research and policy could drive measurable progress.
Unlike traditional conferences, this session will emphasize peer-to-peer exchange. Attendees will discuss barriers to growth, market access, and how policy can better support Welsh businesses. The goal is to translate these insights into actionable recommendations for investors and policymakers.
Economic growth and climate adaptation in focus
The discussion will examine how Wales can strengthen domestic food production, reduce vulnerabilities within supply chains, and improve resilience to climate change, market volatility, and rising costs. Participants will consider opportunities to increase local sourcing, improve collaboration, and support Welsh producers in responding to changing market conditions.
Wales’ food and drink sector contributes significantly to the economy, but recent disruptions have exposed weaknesses in infrastructure and coordination. The event will focus on growing the economic value of Welsh food and drink through investment in processing, manufacturing, innovation, and skills. Mark Powney, Managing Director of Business News Wales, described the initiative as a shift from reporting industry trends to actively shaping them through evidence-based dialogue.
Outcomes to inform future policy
The Food & Drink Editorial Board will take place at Cardiff Metropolitan University’s Llandaff Campus on Monday, November 9, beginning at 10am. The findings will contribute to the INFORM Wales programme’s ongoing work to connect industry expertise with business intelligence, editorial coverage, and evidence-led discussions about Wales’ economic future.
