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News article

28 September 2012

UK food and drink exports stay upbeat in 2012

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PRESS RELEASE

Today, the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) has reported that UK food and non-alcoholic drink exports have continued to grow in 2012, rising to £5.9bn in the first six months of the year – an increase of 2.2% on the same period in 2011.

FDF's latest update also found that exports to all non-EU regions, apart from those surrounding the Eurozone, were in growth of over 7%. The EU fared less well with a rise of 0.7%, largely due to the Eurozone debt crisis which has resulted in sharp falls in exports to some key markets, namely France and Italy.

Outside of the EU, the strongest gains were in Africa (+23.6%) and the Middle East (+17.7%). Within the Middle East there were significant increases in exports to the United Arab Emirates, which rose 37.8% to £80m, due to strong demand for chocolate (+169%) and fish and seafood (+151%).

Report highlights

Categories going up

• Chocolate: +31% to £239m
• Cheese: +2.5% to £200m
• Sauces and condiments: +8.2% to £110m
• Cakes: +11.8% to £94m
• Sugar confectionery: +4.4% to £80m

Top markets

• United Arab Emirates: +37.8% to £80m
• Saudi Arabia: +24.5% to £66m
• Hong Kong: +20.2% to £64m
• Germany: +16% to £585m
• Portugal: +12.5% to £66m

FDF's Economic and Commercial Services Director, Steve Barnes, said:

“Once again, UK food and drink exports have proven themselves to be an important component of both our industry, and the country's economic growth, and an area in which we can excel. This is why we are working with Government and others to remove barriers and to strengthen support for food and drink companies looking to export.”

“Our brands have strong reputations in international markets and it is a credit to our manufacturers that despite difficulties experienced in many key EU markets, they have continued to drive forward sales by making in-roads into new markets.”

Source: HMRC Trade Info

Source: HMRC Trade Info

Source: HMRC Trade Info
Changes in ranking position are versus first six months 2011.

Note to Editors:

1. The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) is the voice of the food and drink manufacturing industry – the UK's largest manufacturing sector. For more information about FDF and the industry we represent visit: www.fdf.org.uk.
2. View the full export figures – collected by FDF from HMRC. These show breakdowns by product category and market.
3. Case studies are also available featuring successful British exporters

More information

Rebecca Wilhelm or 020 7420 7140 - rebecca.wilhelm@fdf.org.uk

Nicki Hunt on or 020 7420 7132 - nicki.hunt@fdf.org.uk

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