SOME of Monmouthshire’s finest food and drink companies will attend the UK’s largest trade exhibition in Birmingham next month.

Over 1,200 exhibitors will attend the Food & Drink Expo at the NEC from Monday, April 18 until Wednesday, April 20.

Skenfrith-based Apple County Cider Company will introduce two new fruit ciders - Real Cider with Raspberry and Real Cider with Chuckleberry.

Co-owner Stephanie Culpin said: “Exhibiting in major events such as Food & Drink Expo gives us the opportunity to talk directly to buyers and we hope it will be a springboard for us as we aim to take the business forward.

“Gaining the Golden Fork Award at last year’s Great Taste Awards was a fantastic achievement for us and it has most definitely spurred us on. We want to continue to highlight the fantastic quality of our products as well as promote the excellence of food and drink that is available from Wales.”

The Preservation Society, which is run from Chepstow by founder Angharad Underwood, will launch a new Bangin BBQ sauce.

It will also unveil its Blissfully Blackcurrant Jam, Italian-inspired fig and mustard relish, Figgy Mostardo and Lord Lambourne’s Scrumpy Butter with Calvados.

The Food and Drink Wales stand, backed by the Welsh Government, will feature 35 companies.

Deputy minister for farming and food Rebecca Evans said: “The Welsh Government’s support allows producers to attend events such as Food & Drink Expo and it provides them with an excellent opportunity to interact directly with buyers and distributors and showcase the very best of Wales.”