Exports snapshot

In this report:

Key Indicators

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.

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 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.

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.

Last reviewed: 30 Sep 2020