British food and drink overseas sales are at record levels thanks to the depth, quality, safety and welfare standards of our produce.

That’s the view of Graham Stuart, the Minister for Investment at the Department for International Trade, who claims that international appetite for British food and drink quality and brands has never been higher.

And the potential for growth, he said, is enormous. He wants to see more British firms making the leap into new markets.

Nearly 20 food and drink businesses from across Scotland made their move when they attended the Anuga food and drink fair in Cologne, Germany.

The trade show hosted more than 7,400 exhibitors from more than 100 countries and welcomed 165,000 trade visitors from around the world.

Edinburgh-based The Drinks Bakery (Lucy Colquhoun is pictured above) which creates savoury biscuits that are flavour-profiled to accompany different alcoholic drinks, attended.

Andy Murray, the company’s founder, said: “We were able to meet potential buyers and create a network of connections, which is going to help boost our exporting activity.

“If we can give any advice to businesses thinking about exporting, it would be to seek help and use the services available to you.

“Both Scottish Development International and Department for Iinternational Trade have fantastic teams that have supported us on our exporting journey.”

Other Lothian firms who attended were Coco Chocolatier Gleann Mor Spirit Company, Paterson Arran and Bellfield Brewery.

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Experienced news, business, arts, sport and travel journalist. Food critic and managing editor of a well-established food and travel website. Also a magazine editor of publications with circulations of up to 200,000 and managing director of a long-established PR/marketing company with a string of blue-chip clients in its CV. Former communications lecturer at a Scottish university and social media specialist for a string of successful and busy SMEs.