News article

28 September 2012

Food industry welcomes extra support to help British firms export

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PRESS RELEASE

In response to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS)'s additional funding to help British firms export, announced today, Steve Barnes, Director of Economics and Commercial Services at the Food and Drink Federation, said:

“This much needed, additional funding for British businesses is warmly welcomed and we hope that food and drink SMEs will be able to create or capitalise on export opportunities abroad. Food and drink exports are key to the industry's ambition of 20% growth by 2020 and exports continue to grow year on year, with manufacturers exporting over £12bn worth of food and non-alcoholic drinks in 2011, up 11.4% on the previous year."

“The UK food and drink industry produces some of the world's best loved brands and we lead the world in product innovation. Demand for British food and drink brands abroad is high, as is competition in the international marketplace. Investment, such as the funding announced today, is essential to help British SMEs achieve more success, faster. We encourage UK firms who have not yet begun exporting to consider how exporting could help them realise their full potential.”

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. The Food and Drink federation has today announced a 2.2% increase in food and drink exports – half year 2012. For more details and case studies see press release.
  3. BIS SME export funding announcement.

More information

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

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

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