Industry data shows that UK food and beverage exports have fallen by 16% in the first nine months of 2021. Brexit And the impact of the pandemic on the value of trade.
The Food and Beverage Federation (FDF) stated that compared with pre-pandemic levels, exports from the industry fell by £2.7 billion between January and September, mainly due to a 24% drop in sales to EU countries .
The Labour Party stated that the decline in sales to the 27 member states would undermine Britain’s ability to create high-paying jobs in the export industry, adding that this decline also weakened the government’s ambitions to improve Britain’s global trade.
Dominic Goudi, FDF’s head of international trade, said that constructive cooperation between ministers and the EU to improve relations is crucial, “otherwise this downturn will continue.”
Food manufacturing is one of the largest employers in the UK and the largest single manufacturing industry, ahead of the automobile manufacturing and chemical industries.
Food and beverage exports to Germany fell by 44.5%, and exports to Italy fell by 43.3%. Exports to Spain have been hit particularly hard, halved (50.6%).
FDF said that this year’s global exports of whiskey and salmon have begun to recover, and the sales of these two products have increased by 21% compared with 2020. All other major products, including beef, cheese and pork, declined, down 18.4%, 13.2%, and 5.7%, respectively.
Non-EU markets have achieved healthy percentage growth, although their base figures are much lower than exports to the EU. China and Taiwan’s demand for British goods drove their growth rates by more than 20%, while exports to Japan increased by 10.6%, and exports to Singapore increased by 5.4%.
FDF says Imports have also been hit hard, In the nine months ending in September, sales from the European Union fell by nearly 11% compared to Covid’s previous levels. The drop of 2.5 billion pounds has had the greatest impact on the Netherlands, Ireland and Germany.
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Goody said: “It is very disappointing to see that our trade with the EU has been so severely affected, and our smallest exporter has been hit hardest. The British government and decentralized countries continue to work with industry to build new The partnership model is crucial Support food and beverage exporters. “
“They need the government to remove obstacles and help them take advantage of new opportunities,” he added.
The shadow minister of international trade Gareth Thomas said: “Ministers need to accelerate their support for food and beverage exporters to reverse the downward trend in sales to France, Germany and other European countries, otherwise we may see other countries Taking away long-term trading opportunities from them. British companies put good jobs and companies at risk.
“It is vital to formulate veterinary agreements urgently, develop long-term solutions to supply chain crises (including HGV drivers), and help more companies adapt to the new customs rules.”
The government has been contacted for comments.
