Top Export Markets
In the first half of 2009, the top 9 countries for UK exporters remained in the
same positions,
although Portugal has climbed to 10th place (up 6 positions from the same
period
in 2008).
In this section:
Growth in exports to Poland (12th) and Norway (13th) remains strong but has
slowed markedly from the rates of recent quarterly period performances.
Russia and Greece continue to slide down the table with negative performances,
whilst China has slipped out of the top 20 place it had claimed in the first
quarter of 2009 despite an increase in
exports in the first half of 49.5% (the first quarter rise was more than double
this, indicating that the
second quarter has not been so successful).
Strong growth in exports to Saudi Arabia means it has pulled clear of the UAE as
the leading market in the Middle East.
Top 20 growth markets in 2009
The highest growth markets in the top 20 included:
France
- +17.0% to £618.7m, continues to be driven by growth in exports of meat, +23.8%
overall (lamb +27.1%, fresh beef +82.3%) and an 18.9% increase in fish and
seafood
(molluscs +91.6%). Soft drinks were also up 177.7% from a small base as was ice
cream,
+95.8%.
The Netherlands
- +33.5% to £495.8m, with a 145.1% increase in exports of fats and oils
and a 328.2% rise in commodity cereals. Fresh beef continued to grow, +38.3%,
while
sauces and condiments were +82.7% and ice cream +190.5%.
The US
- +19.0% to £131.1m, with a 68.9%% increase in exports of fish and seafood (fish
fillets growing from virtually nothing to be worth £5.5m and fresh fish
+52.2%),
and an
18.2% rise in chocolate. Soft drinks were also up 86.1% from a small base.
Portugal
- +94.5% to £81.3m, with a 116.0% rise in commodity cereals and a 476.0% rise
in fish and seafood (frozen fish, mainly cod, to £18.5m from virtually nothing,
making
Portugal the second largest market for UK frozen fish exporters, behind
Russia),
along with
a 150.8% rise in exports of meat (lamb +511.9%).
Norway
- +17.3% to £57.4m, driven by fats and oils +28.4%, sugars +35.3%, chocolate
+27.5% and dairy +84.7% (including cheese +178.1% from a very low base).
Saudi Arabia
- +28.6% to £45.3m, with biscuits/cakes/bread up 59.4%, breakfast cereals
up 41.7%, chocolate up 22.6%, and dairy up 77.7% (including eggs +116.7%).
Negative results were seen in:
- Germany (-2.3% due primarily to an 11.8% drop in fats and oils);
- Denmark (-8.4%, due to a 7.9% fall in the leading bakery products category and a
25.4% drop in
fish and seafood);
- Sweden (-3.7%, due to a 24.8% fall in bakery products and 42.6% drop in
sugars);
- Russia (-9.6%, due to a 42.2% drop in prepared foods) and Greece (-8.3 %, due
primarily
to an 84.6% drop in sugars).
UK Exports of Food & Non-alcoholic drinks:
Top 20 Countries - Jan-Jun 2008-09 (£ million)
| Rank |
Country |
Jan-Jun 2008 |
Jan-Jun 2009 |
% change 2008-09 |
| 1 (-) |
Ireland |
1,189.3 |
1,271.7 |
6.9 |
| 2 (-) |
France |
538.8 |
618.7 |
17.0 |
| 3 (-) |
Netherlands |
371.3 |
495.8 |
33.5 |
| 4 (-) |
Germany |
337.8 |
330.1 |
-2.3 |
| 5 (-) |
Spain |
238.0 |
270.6 |
13.7 |
| 6 (-) |
Italy |
209.8 |
238.8 |
13.8 |
| 7 (-) |
Belgium |
178.3 |
185.4 |
4.0 |
| 8 (-) |
United States |
110.1 |
131.1 |
19.0 |
| 9 (-) |
Denmark |
90.6 |
83.0 |
-8.4 |
| 10 (+6) |
Portugal |
41.8 |
81.3 |
94.5 |
| 11 (-1) |
Sweden |
69.0 |
66.4 |
-3.7 |
| 12 (-1) |
Poland |
57.6 |
65.3 |
13.4 |
| 13 (-) |
Norway |
49.0 |
57.4 |
17.3 |
| 14 (-2) |
Russia |
56.1 |
50.7 |
-9.6 |
| 15 (-) |
Canada |
43.7 |
47.5 |
8.7 |
| 16 (+2) |
Saudi Arabia |
35.2 |
45.3 |
28.6 |
| 17 (-) |
Japan |
39.6 |
40.7 |
2.9 |
| 18 (-4) |
Greece |
43.9 |
40.3 |
-8.3 |
| 19 (-) |
United Arab Emirates |
35.0 |
38.9 |
11.1 |
| 20 (-) |
Australia |
31.3 |
32.1 |
2.7 |
Source: Leatherhead Food Research
Changes in ranking position are versus the first half of 2008.
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More information
Research carried out by Leatherhead Food Research for the Food and Drink
Federation (October 2009)
Last reviewed: 19 Oct 2009