Food and drink exports from the UK to the EU reduced by 23.4% in the past five years, compared to the five-year period before Brexit, according to the latest figures from the Food and Drink Federation (FDF).

The data found that food exports reduced to 5.1bn kg in Q1 to Q3 between 2021 and 2025, which is lower than the 6.7bn kg which was exported in the same time between 2016 and 2020.

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Exports to key European markets including Germany, Poland and Belgium decreased by 59.1%, 51.9% and 39.9%, respectively, between 2021 and 2025, compared with 2016 to 2020.

However, total UK global export volumes increased by 5.8% since the beginning of 2025, driven by an increase in non-EU trade.

It is thought the upcoming Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement will allow for easier food trade between the UK and the EU following negotiations.

Karen Betts, chief executive of the FDF, said: “At a time when food and drink businesses are facing rising production costs, regulatory pressures, and weak consumer confidence at home, easing barriers to trade and growing our exports could not be more important.

“A new SPS deal with the EU will help remove barriers to trade with our largest trading partner. But the SPS agreement isn’t a silver bullet, and Government will need to work closely with industry to ensure it works for business.”

The FDF now is calling on the Government to back its plans, which aim to boost exports to £35bn by 2035 and protect supply chain resilience.