Farm businesses across Wales are increasingly diversifying into food and drink production with support from the Welsh Government-funded HELIX Programme, helping them develop new products and strengthen existing enterprises.
Delivered through a partnership of four specialist food centres across Wales, the programme provides technical expertise and innovation support to businesses looking to move beyond primary production. That includes helping farmers develop market-ready food and drink products, achieve food safety certification, validate new ideas and build the skills needed to grow sustainably.
The latest examples highlight how Welsh farms are creating additional income streams by processing and marketing their own produce, rather than relying solely on traditional agricultural sales. For consumers, it means a growing range of locally produced Welsh food and drink reaching shops, markets and farm outlets.
Supporting innovation on Welsh farms
The HELIX Programme is a collaboration between AberInnovation at Aberystwyth University, Cardiff Metropolitan University's ZERO2FIVE Food Industry Centre, Food Centre Wales in Ceredigion and Coleg Menai's Food Technology Centre in Llangefni.
Rather than providing direct financial grants for production, the programme focuses on technical and innovation support. Businesses can access expertise in product development, food safety, manufacturing processes, packaging, shelf-life testing and commercialisation, helping turn ideas into viable products.
The programme is available to food and drink businesses of all sizes across Wales, from start-ups and artisan producers to established manufacturers looking to develop new products or improve existing ones.
Farms adding value to their produce
Among the recent businesses highlighted by the programme is Ty Tanglwyst Dairy in Bridgend, a fourth-generation family farm producing milk, butter and cream from its pedigree Holstein herd.
On Anglesey, Charcuterie Môn has received support as it develops premium cured meat products, while Gate Farm near Montgomery and Dyfi Dairy in the Dyfi Valley have also benefited from the programme's technical expertise. Although each business has different ambitions, they share a common goal of adding value to produce already being grown or reared on Welsh farms.
Diversification has become an increasingly important strategy for many farming businesses facing changing economic conditions. Producing finished food products can help farms retain more of the value generated from their raw ingredients while creating stronger connections with consumers seeking locally produced food.
Strengthening Wales' food and drink sector
The HELIX Programme also complements wider Welsh Government support for the food and drink industry.
Under the Sustainable Farming Scheme, farmers are being encouraged to build resilient businesses while continuing to produce high-quality food. The Welsh Government has also confirmed that the HELIX Programme forms part of the wider package of support available to farm businesses considering diversification into marketable food products.
By combining agricultural knowledge with specialist food manufacturing expertise, the programme aims to help businesses compete in increasingly demanding markets while supporting innovation across the Welsh food and drink sector.
Why it matters for consumers
Although much of the HELIX Programme's work takes place behind the scenes, its impact is increasingly visible on supermarket shelves, in farm shops and at local food markets.
Consumers continue to show strong interest in buying food with a clear local provenance, while producers are looking for ways to build more resilient businesses by creating premium products from Welsh ingredients.
As more farms diversify into food and drink production, shoppers can expect to see an even wider range of Welsh-made cheeses, dairy products, meats, preserves and other artisan foods reaching the marketplace. At the same time, programmes such as HELIX are helping ensure those products are developed with the technical expertise and food safety standards needed to compete successfully in Wales and beyond.
Sources
Business News Wales – Farms Diversify into Food and Drink Production Thanks to Support
from Welsh Government Funded Programme.
Business Wales – The HELIX Programme.
ZERO2FIVE – Welsh farms diversify into food and drink production thanks to support from
Welsh Government funded programme.
Welsh Government – Sustainable Farming Scheme: Optional and Collaborative Layers.
