Food and drink exports have continued to fall in the third of quarter of the year, new data shows.

According to the latest statistics from the Food and Drink Federation (FDF), exports in the first nine months of 2024 fell 10.2% to £16.3bn, driven by a “significant drop” in alcohol sales.

While the value of food and non-alcoholic drink exports remained steady, up 1.2%, volumes fell 16.3%, impacted by high food and drink inflation and trade barriers.

The EU remains the UK’s biggest trading partner for food and drink, and while exports to Ireland and Germany rose slightly by 3% and 1.4% respectively, these were the exceptions, according to FDF.

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The UK trade organisation said that overall, exports to the EU have fallen 5.3% in the first nine months of the year, as a result of “the persistent administrative burdens that continue to create barriers to trade with Europe”. 

Meanwhile, the US is the UK’s third largest customer, with over 10% of all food and drink exports destined for the country, with the UK having exported 460 million cups of tea and 436 million biscuits to the US in the first nine months of 2024.

As part of the UK’s trade surplus with the US, it received £1bn of food and drink so far this year, while the UK exported £1.6bn of products.

FDF said that with exports to the US down 7.9% so far this year, “any opportunity to reduce the friction at borders and avoid any tariff increases would help the UK to maintain and grow trade with this high value market”.

FDF director of industry growth and sustainability Balwinder Dhoot said: “These figures highlight the challenges that UK food and drink continue to face when selling their products abroad.

“This is particularly true for the 12,000 SMEs in our industry, who struggle to overcome the administrative burdens of exporting. Providing more support for these businesses will help the UK strengthen its international trade and maintain its position on the global stage.

“However, there are many exciting opportunities beyond Europe. With millions of American consumers continuing to enjoy the iconic British tea and biscuits, it’s important that we maintain our positive trading relationship with this high value market.”