The UK food and drink manufacturing sector achieved record export figures for the first half of 2023, according to a new report by the Food and Drink Federation (FDF).
The FDF Trade Snapshot shows food and drink export sales rose to almost £12bn from £11.5bn during the same period last year. Much of the growth has been driven by the EU, with the value of exports increasing by more than 7% to £6.9bn.
However, while the value of exports has increased across most categories, due partly to inflation, the FDF noted that volumes have been impacted by multiple challenges in the UK food supply chain, including labour shortages and rising wage and energy bills, which have all led to higher prices.
Cheese is the UK’s top food export and is now worth nearly £400m compared to chocolate sales of £386m. Salmon and breakfast cereals are close behind, with sales of both products exceeding £350m.
Exports haven’t fared so well to non-EU markets, with a 1.2% drop in value compared to the first half of 2022.
The FDF’s head of international trade, Dominic Goudie, commented: “Trade in UK food and drink is beginning to stabilise after the challenges of Brexit, a global pandemic, and global weather events in recent years that led to significant supply chain disruption, surging energy prices and volatile ingredient costs. The growth we have seen in the first half of the year demonstrates our industry’s resilience and future growth potential.
“While there are clear signs of recovery, as we start to see food and drink price inflation continue to fall, we need the government to work with the industry to help us stem the decline in the volumes of exports to the EU and further afield.
“We urge the government to take note of our Trade and Investment Strategy, which details how Ministers can put food and drink at the heart of global Britain’s new independent trade policy. Defra bolstering its network of in-market trade attachés and the Food and Drink Export Council are positive steps that will support future growth.”
