Global interest in UK Independent Craft Beer at an all-time high
British independent craft beer is in high demand on the global market according to UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) Yorkshire and the Humber and the Society for Independent Brewers (SIBA).
UKTI, the government department that helps UK companies succeed abroad and supports overseas companies wanting to invest in Britain, has organised fully-booked ‘Meet the Buyer’ events at SIBA’s BeerX conference in Sheffield this week and says British beer from small, independent craft-brewers has never been so popular globally, with almost 200 confirmed one-to-one appointments taking place between UK brewers and 26 international buyers from 13 different countries.
BeerX has incorporated the international export activity into the packed roster of events following huge demand from buyers from beer brewing powerhouse countries such as Belgium, Germany and the Czech Republic, as well as other markets including China, Iceland, Greece, Ukraine. France, Australia, Denmark, Cyprus, Sweden and India.
“British independent craft brewers are seizing the global demand for their flavoursome, unique beers with both hands and exporting in higher numbers than ever before. The sessions being run by UKTi at BeerX are designed to create a platform for SIBA’s members looking to begin exporting, or increase the markets they already sell to, to speak directly with international buyers,” said Mike Benner, SIBA Managing Director.
Stephen Noblett, an international trade advisor and food and drink sector specialist at UKTI Yorkshire and the Humber who organised the fully-booked export sessions at BeerX, said: “This is the largest delegation of overseas buyers that UKTI Yorkshire and the Humber has ever attracted to BeerX.
“The record breaking attendance reflects recent research by UKTI which showed about 75 per cent of food and drink exporters expected overseas sales to increase over the next quarter.”
Stephen said expert advice on the development of specific markets followed by licensing, regulation and documentation were among the areas of most interest for food and drink companies seeking expert guidance from UKTI trade advisors.
With more than 300 breweries in attendance, BeerX promises to be a true showcase of the best beer from the UK’s independent craft brewers and runs from the 16th to the 19th of March at iceSheffield.
More information about the public beer festival, or ‘BeerX – Festival of Beer’, is available at http://beerx.org/festivalofbeer/
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For further information please contact SIBA’s PR & Marketing Manager Neil Walker on 07493 883 273 or email neil.walker@siba.co.uk
