The UK saw record export figures for food and drink in the first half of 2023, according to a new report published by the Food and Drink Federation (FDF).
The FDF found that food and drink export sales rose to almost £12bn in the first half of 2023 – from £11.5bn in 2022 – and much of the growth has been driven by the EU, with the value of exports increasing by more than 7% to £6.9bn.
However, the volume of goods has been impacted by the multiple challenges that the UK food supply chain has faced recently. This includes significant labour shortages, rising wages and energy bills which have all led to higher food prices.
Currently, cheese is the UK’s top food export and is now worth nearly £400m, according to the FDF.
This is compared to chocolate sales of £386m, while salmon and breakfast cereals are close behind with sales of both products exceeding £350m.
Meanwhile, exports haven’t fared so well to non-EU markets, with a 1.2% drop in value compared to the first half of 2022.
Back in March, the FDF reported a record-breaking number of exports in 2022.
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The FDF’s head of international trade, Dominic Goudie said: “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,” he added.
Last month, supermarket trade bodies warned that Brits are likely to face higher food prices for longer than expected, as Vladimir Putin looks to block Ukrainian grain exports.
