Exports
Food and farming contributes £120 billion to the UK economy annually and
supports 4.3 million
jobs right across the country. One of its success stories is exports, with UK
agri-
food and drink sales overseas reaching nearly £24 billion in 2019.
In Scotland, we are the largest export industry, with manufactured food and
drink exports
increasing by 8 per cent to £7 billion in 2018. Welsh food and drink exports
reached £566 million in
2019, up 5 per cent on the previous year. Of the £5 billion of food and drink
produced by Northern
Irish businesses, over two thirds were exported.
Food and Drink exports is one of the great stories for the UK and a great way to
highlight the
strength of our industry over the last few years. At the FDF, we highlight the
export success of our
members to the media, stakeholders and government through our regular export
statistical reports
and member case studies. Some of our member's success stories can be found here.
Below includes useful information on:
- Key steps to export success and where to go to find export support;
- Our regular export snapshots which highlight top markets and products and can
help
members with their export plans as well as identifying target markets;
- The latest regional export statistics highlighting growth across the UK.
Five Steps to Export Success
Food and drink exports are a UK success story. Reaching nearly £24 billion in
2019, they have
grown every year since 2015. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly
impacted our
industry. UK food and drink exports are down 14% and all of the top 5 markets
recorded negative
growth. As we reach the end of the EU Exit transition period, exporters will
face further challenges.
Our success in restarting and expanding exports will be key to the UK's
post-COVID-19 economic
recovery.
To support the recovery of UK food and drink exports post-COVID-19, the FDF,
Food and Drink
Exporters Association (FDEA) and the Agriculture and Horticulture Development
Board (AHDB) have
produced an export
guide to help businesses successfully navigate the export process. The guide
signposts a range
of support that can help exporters that have been impacted by COVID-19 and
support businesses
post EU Exit transition.
Key terms are explained, questions answered and support offered through five
simple steps,
concluding with an overview of useful contacts and links to webinars, virtual
and physical meet-the-
buyer events as well as trade fairs that can help your business to grow its
exports.
More information
UK export statistics
FDF publishes quarterly statistical reports on the UK's food and drink export
performance, helping
companies understand which markets have the most potential and supporting their
export plans.
Each quarter we work with one of our export partners or professional affiliates
to give our
members further practical guidance or insight into that quarter's focus market.
Our latest reports can
be found below.
Previous reports
Q3 2020
H1 2020
Q1 2020
Full Year 2019
Q3 2019
H1 2019
Q1 2019
Full Year 2018
Q3 2018
H1 2018
Q1 2018
Full Year 2017
Q3 2017
H1 2017
Full Year 2016
UK Food & Drink Trade Regional Map

Last reviewed: 08 Dec 2020