May 06, 2026 - 227 views
A North Wales foodservice wholesaler says its commitment to sourcing Welsh produce is helping to drive economic growth across the country, supporting jobs, investment and expansion among regional suppliers.
Harlech Foodservice, a family-owned business founded in 1972, works with more than 40 suppliers across Wales and has reported a 78 per cent increase in sales of Welsh-produced goods in 2025 compared with the previous year.
The company says prioritising local sourcing helps reduce food miles while strengthening supply chains within Wales, with a number of producers benefiting from increased demand.
Among them is South Caernarfon Creameries, based near Harlech’s headquarters in Gwynedd. The co-operative has recently completed “Project Dragon”, a £25 million investment to expand production and packaging at its Rhydygwystl site. Increased sales through Harlech, including an additional 4,000kg of Dragon Cheese and a 24 per cent rise in Snowdonia Cheese, have supported that growth.
Other Welsh suppliers have also seen significant gains. Llaeth y Llan has recorded a 59 per cent increase in purchases, prompting further investment in its facilities in Llannefydd, where milk is sourced from farms within a five-mile radius.
Drinks manufacturer Radnor Hills has seen a 55 per cent uplift, enabling a £5 million investment to boost carton production capacity and create more than 20 skilled jobs.
Meanwhile, Edwards of Conwy has experienced 72 per cent growth, driven in part by increased demand from schools and local authorities for products including burgers, sausages and Welsh lamb.
Further growth has been reported by Henllan Bakery, where purchases have risen by 28 per cent, leading to factory expansion and new machinery, and Gower View Foods, which has seen butter sales increase by 30 per cent year on year.
Dessert manufacturer Sidoli Group has also benefited from a 21 per cent rise in sales, alongside a growing product range that now includes more than 40 ice cream lines. Additional growth has been recorded by Cotteswold Dairy, which has seen a 10 per cent increase linked to Welsh milk demand.
Elsewhere, partnerships have helped boost the profile of Ferrari’s Coffee across Wales, while Jones Crisps has expanded in the impulse purchase market.
Managing director Mark Lawton said the company is focused on increasing the presence of Welsh produce across its core categories, including vegetables supplied to schools through businesses such as Anglesey Potato Company, Castellmarch Farm and Llysiau Menai.
He said: “Growth in operations leads to enhanced employment opportunities, which in turn helps people live and spend both time and money in the country and makes for a thriving economy.”
The company distributes more than 4,000 product lines across Wales, the North West of England and the West Midlands, while working to minimise environmental impact through measures including carbon-efficient vehicles and solar panels at its headquarters in Criccieth. It has also set a target to reach net zero by 2045.
In addition to its commercial activity, Harlech supports a number of charitable causes, including Hope House Tŷ Gobaith, Mental Health Foundation, Maggie’s, NSPCC and Wales Air Ambulance Charity.
The figures form part of the company’s latest ESG report, which highlights the growing role of local sourcing in supporting the Welsh economy.
