JW Filshill International is expanding into exports of food and non-alcoholic drinks, amid rising demand from Asia-Pacific and the Middle East, and will aim to secure supply deals for Scottish producers in Dubai this week.

The Glasgow-based operation, part of the long-established, family-owned JW Filshill wholesale business, has in recent years built up a sizeable business in enabling Scottish craft beer and spirits producers to export.

Its move into food and non-alcoholic drinks will follow a similar model of consolidating the products of craft producers for export. This enables such producers, who might otherwise be too small to access overseas markets easily on their own, to build an export business.

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JW Filshill International said it was taking part in this week’s Gulfood food and drink expo at Dubai’s World Trade Fair. It cited demand from China and the Middle East, with a spokesman noting the potential to also access the likes of the Japanese and Taiwanese markets. JW Filshill International will promote a range of Scottish products, showcasing businesses such as Growers Garden, Drinks Bakery, Start-Up Drinks Lab, Natural Fruit and Beverage, For Aisha, Golden Casket, and Rose Marketing.

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Chris Miller, group commercial director, said he and fellow director Simon Hannah, who runs parent firm JW Filshill, would meet potential new buyers, offering services including sourcing of Scottish products and export consolidation for importers and retailers.

Mr Miller said: “We’re using the event to showcase some outstanding food producers from Scotland, who’d normally find these types of major trade fairs inaccessible.”

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