UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) is partnering with to launch deliciouslyorkshire the first extensive and tailored export service for the region’s food and drink SMEs.

The international trade development team will research opportunities, advise companies which markets are best suited to their products, make trade development visits and represent the region at several international events, including Food & Hotel Asia (FHA) in April, and one of the world’s largest food exhibitions, SIAL, held in Paris in November.

deliciouslyorkshire has put increased resources in place to help deliver the service; including the appointment of Kate Baumber as international trade development manager to manage the team and the delivery of the new service. Baumber has an agricultural background and has worked in food and drink marketing for the past 15 years, including international marketing at Food from Britain, London. She has worked with deliciouslyorkshire on several projects and is well known to the team and many Yorkshire companies.

Graham Percival of UKTI said: “Nearly every economically successful nation is involved in an intricate trade network and there are many opportunities for companies in the UK, and Yorkshire and Humber, to grow links within overseas markets.

“Research has shown that companies who increase overseas trade networks are likely to be more competitive, have higher levels of productivity and enjoy higher than average growth rates. Through the Regional Food Group, Yorkshire’s food and drink SMEs will hopefully start to see these benefits.”