17 Aug 2018

UK food and drink exports hit record high

The first six months of 2018 have seen UK food and drink exports hit record levels.

According to Defra (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) exports rose to £10.6 billion, up 4% compared to the same period last year, with products now being sold in more than 200 different countries.

For UK food and drink businesses, this is a promising result and one that opens up further opportunities for alternative markets.

Speaking on the topic, Defra minister, George Eustice, said, “Consumers across the globe know British produce is delicious. They also know it is high in quality and backed by high standards of animal welfare.

“This is why we are continuing to see a huge growth in the worldwide demand for the best of what British farmers and food producers have to offer.”

So far this year the big sellers have continued to be products such as whisky, with sales worth £2 billion, beer and smoked salmon valued at £235 million and £308 million respectively.

However, an increasingly varied range of products is also being exported. For example, during the first half of the year, 64 million litres of ice cream and more than 500 tonnes of strawberries were shipped to foreign shores.

Similarly, sales of traditional barbecue produce, such as sausages and cuts of beef have risen by 48% and 17%, respectively.

The Government is forecasting strong growth in this area, with China preparing to lift its BSE ban on British beef, which is predicted to generate exports worth £250 million in the first five years alone.

As well as Taiwan soon to be importing UK pork for the first time in a deal that is projected to be worth £50 million over five years.

Useful links:

• Defra import, export and distribution of food
• UK food and drink: international action plan 2016 to 2020
• Food labelling and packaging
  

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