Trade Snapshot H1 2025
Our H1 2025 trade snapshot shows a welcome uplift in food trade, with export volumes up 7.2% in the first half of 2025, compared with 2024. However, this is still 13% lower than in 2023. FDF is calling for government to work with industry to set an ambitious target to increase food and drink exports, including providing support for food and drink businesses of all sizes looking to sell abroad.
Topics
Exporting & Importing
Exports show green shoots of growth
UK food and drink exports reached £12.4bn in H1 2025, up 6.8% year-on-year in value terms, driven by new global trade opportunities. Non-EU exports increased by over a tenth (10.6%), with exports to the US increasing by 18.9% to £1.4bn, despite the introduction of the tariffs. The top export destinations remain Ireland, France and the USA. Two years on from the Australia-New Zealand trade deal, exports to New Zealand jumped 19.7% in H1 2025.
Imports hit a new record
Imports of food and drink reached a record £32.8bn (5.5% year-on-year), with non–EU imports climbing 15.1%. This growth was led by Canada (39%) and China (17.5%). Under the Common Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) agreement, the UK and EU are expected to adopt the same controls on imports as Rest of World countries. This could lead to additional burdens for non-EU imports, with the removal of the current UK risk-based approach introduced in 2024.
Looking forward - sustaining momentum
While our H1 report shows green shoots for export growth, export volumes are still over a tenth (13%) lower than in 2023. FDF is calling for a new partnership between industry and government to help build on this opportunity, including setting an ambitious target to grow food and drink exports.
13%
Building on US momentum
Despite US exports increasing, the 10% universal tariff increase still applies to UK food and drink products despite the Economic Prosperity Deal. Prioritising lowering US barriers after strong H1 momentum would sustain competitiveness moving forward.
10%
Opportunities with India
Exports to India grew 11.6%, and the new trade deal signed in July 2025 is expected to come into force in 2026, which will help build on this trend. The agreement will remove or reduce high Indian tariffs on selected UK food and drink exports over the next decade.
11.6%
