October was undoubtedly the month of the markets.

Providing that all-important link between global agri-exporters and UK businesses is a significant FPC role within its member base and we work closely with tenants’ associations to provide an informative and enjoyable morning for interested parties to meet and identify useful trading opportunities.

Considering wholesale and foodservice hold 32 per cent of UK market share of around £8 billion, there are tremendous opportunities to trade within this sector. The innovative diversity of market businesses is impressive, with many importing and distributing directly and bringing a new dimension to these great trading arenas.

First stop was the impressive St James Wholesale Market in Bradford, with a group of around 30 members. It was great to see so many of you on this trip. I never tire of walking the markets, always something new to see, someone new to talk to, and Bradford added to this with an exceptional culinary demonstration of some of the more exotic produce in the market, which was a special treat. Delifresh executive chef Robert Ramsden is arguably Yorkshire’s answer to Jamie Oliver, and in celebrity chef style he created spectacular dishes for us.

We were delighted to visit the Jamaican High Commission and present on UK market trends. Always a pleasure to meet our Jamaican friends and we look forward to working closely with them in the future.

Our month of developing global relationships within the industry included a meeting with produce exporters and government officials from the Shandong Province of China, and a number of you travelled to Spitalfields Wholesale Market early one Friday morning to meet the delegation and experience the great hospitality of the largest UK wholesale market. Interesting to note that the fertile soil of the Shandong Province is ideal for growing grapes and in conjunction with the French, it produces fine wines. Whether you drink them or eat them, the Chinese grape industry is on the up.

We had such a good time we went back a week later with our friends from Morocco and together with members of Maroc Export, Dellasus and Geda, UK members and the Spitalfields team, we spent some valuable hours getting to know each other better and discussing the UK market and future opportunities. We will return in 2011 so look out for the dates and we’ll see you there.

With the end of British Summer Time, dark nights upon us and a hundred different ways to cook a pumpkin, it is time to turn our attention to our annual dinner 5 February 2011 at the Savoy. We will host Morocco as the guest nation and we have a spectacular evening planned featuring the flavour, music and culture of this vibrant, sunshine nation. There will be live music setting the atmosphere for a superb evening. Tickets are selling fast, so see www.freshproduce.org.uk for details.

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