UK food and drink export soars overseas despite Brexit

A report has shown that overseas sales of UK food and drink continued to rise in 2017.

Record exports over £22bn demonstrated a ‘desire’ for British products. Produce such as salmon increased by 23 per cent whilst milk and cream increased by 61 per cent.

Moreover, sales of gin have risen massively; over £500m has been spent on the UK’s alcoholic drink overseas. £85m worth of cheese has been sent to France, and £21m of chocolate has been sent to Belgium.

Secretary of State for the department of environment, food and rural affairs, Michael Gove, said: “Farmers, fisherman and our food producers are all helping to deliver a Brexit bonus - with more exports of British food and drink than ever.

“The British economy is going from strength-to-strength showing that a ‘Green Brexit’ can deliver for the whole country.”

As the Prime Minister demonstrated during her recent trip to China, the UK’s food and drink is supposedly continuing to grow in popularity across the globe with China now the 8th largest export market for UK food and drink.

Over £560m worth of food and drink was bought by Chinese consumers last year, who showed a particular preference for UK salmon, whisky and pork.

Food and drink federation director general, Ian Wright CBE, said: “UK food and drink is known across the globe for its provenance and quality.

“We must now build upon this platform in order to take advantage of new opportunities and the growing global appetite for great British and Northern Irish manufacturing as we leave the EU.”

The government is aiming to continue encouraging and supporting UK business as they consider launching into overseas markets or expanding their current global customer base.

Major UK exports include:

• Whisky (£4.5bn)
• Salmon (£720m)
• Chocolate (£680m)
• Cheese (£623m)
• Beer (£603m)

Top 5 countries we export to: Irish Republic (£3.7bn) France (£2.3bn) USA (£2.3bn) Netherlands (£1.5bn) Germany (£1.4bn)

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