WSTA to promote British drinks in HK

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association is taking a collection of British gins and wines to Hong Kong this week in a bid to boost exports.

Working with the Department for International Trade, the WSTA will run a series of missions to various markets this year starting with the Hong Kong event, which will run from 20-23 March.

Sarah Heller MW will lead a ‘Best of British’ masterclass presenting still and sparkling wines from six English wineries and gins from seven British distilleries.

Hong Kong is regarded as a key market for UK producers and of course acts as a gateway to mainland China. Currently, the US is the biggest export market for British drinks while Asia is small but growing strongly.

The chief executive of the WSTA, Miles Beale, said: “It has been another phenomenal year of export growth for our British gin producers. There’s no doubt that those overseas are drawn to the quality of British gin and the spotlight is now also starting to turn to our English sparkling wines. We are proud to share these products with the rest of the world and, with support from the UK government, we hope to see British gin and English wine exports boom.

“On leaving the EU, we also want more government support to increase exports to developed markets such as Australia, Japan, China and the US. The removal of tariffs would allow Britain to maintain its position as the world’s largest spirits exporter and further boost the UK economy and provide more jobs.

“Ambassadors and senior diplomats can start supporting our mission to help British gin and English wine exports grow even further by committing to ‘Serve British’ at events both home and abroad.”