Sidoli’s desert desserts

One of Welshpool’s biggest employers heads to Dubai next week in a bid to crack the lucrative Middle East food market.

D Sidoli &Sons makes luxury desserts for the food service industry across the UK and Europe but is eyeing an expansion further afield by joining a Welsh food and drink delegation to exhibit at Gulfood.

Gilly Barber, of D Sidoli & Sons, said: “We attended a similar trade fair in Paris last year with the support of the Welsh Government and had so much interest from buyers in the Middle East that we are now actively exploring all possible avenues.

“Having a presence at Gulfood will allow us to have direct engagement with potential customers.

“We have invested heavily in our Welshpool site over the past few years in order to meet the demand of European orders and we employ over 350 staff, which has a positive impact on the local economy.

“If we can develop our market in the Middle East we will probably have to look to expand our operation further, so fingers are crossed that we get a warm reception in Dubai.”

Gulfood will be held at the Dubai Trade Centre from February 8-12 and in this, its 20th year, is expected to attract over 5,000 exhibitors from 120 countries.

Supported by the Welsh Government, 15 producers from Wales will be in attendance under the Food and Drink Wales banner, all looking to promote their produce and increase their export market.

During the last four quarters, Welsh food and drink exports were worth over £300 million, up 3.4% on the previous year, a higher increase than the UK figure for the same period.