Exports snapshot
In this report:
View export
case studies
Download exports snapshot H1 2020
Key Indicators
Executive summary
- Food and drink exports are a UK success story. However, the COVID-19 pandemic
significantly impacted growth after exports fell for the first time since H1
2015.
- Exports fell by 13.8% to £9.7bn, as both exports to EU and non-EU markets
declined.
- Exports to the EU (-14.5%) decreased at a faster rate than those to non-EU
markets
(-12.6%).
- The trade deficit widened, reaching -£13.4bn, from £12.8bn in H1 2019.
- Exports to all of the top 20 markets decreased, except China (+0.3%), Canada
(+6.7%) and
Norway (+46.9%).
- Pork was the only product within the top 10 to show value growth, up 17.5% on
2019.
- Since H1 2010, exports have increased by 34%. Exports to non-EU countries grew
faster
(59%) than to the EU (21%).
- Members noted access to new UK preferential trade agreements and increased
export
demand as top pportunities for 2020 in FDF's Q2 Business Confidence Survey.
- 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 impacted by
COVID-19 as
well as supporting businesses post EU Exit transition.
Top 10 products
Top 20 markets

H1 UK exports since 2010
Click on the image to view larger
China, Canada and Norway
- Exports to all of the top 20 markets decreased, except China (+0.3%), Canada
(+6.7%) and
Norway (+46.9%).
- Canada is a valuable preferential trade partner for the UK in terms of food and
drink exports,
worth £163.5m.
- The top 3 UK products sold in Canada were whisky, beer and gin.
- Sales of UK pork were up 97.9% in China, reaching £132.2m.
- The fastest growing UK product sold to Norway was animal fats and oils, up
2669.1%.

Branded goods
- Branded food and non-alcoholic drinks exports declined by 7.1% overall, despite
an increase
in sales to non-EU markets of 1.9%.
- Growth markets within the top 10 were the US (+10.5%) and China (+13.7%).
- Top branded products were bread, pastry, cakes and biscuits.

H1 Top 10 markets

A new UK-Japan preferential trade agreement
- The UK and Japan announced the agreement of a new preferential trade deal on 11
September, ensuring continued preferential access for UK exports.
- Japan is the world's largest net importer of agrifood and drink and has the 3rd
largest market
for sales of packaged food after the USA and China.
- Japan was the UK's 19th biggest market in H1, worth £124.5m.
- Top products sold to Japan were whisky, beef, cereals and grains.
- Since H1 2010, exports to Japan have increased by 64%, from £75.9m to £124.5m.
- Demand for imported food and drink in Japan is growing because of its ageing
population
and a shift towards Western consumption patterns.
- The deal improves our existing terms of trade for some of our key products and
offers
significant new growth opportunities for quality UK manufacturing.
- The deal provides more generous and flexible rules of origin for key food and
drink
categories which will better support export growth to Japan.
- In-market sectoral expertise will be essential to ensure industry is able to
take full advantage
of this new agreement and fulfill the UK's untapped export potential to Japan.


More information
Download exports
snapshot H1 2020
View export case
studies
Last reviewed: 30 Sep 2020