The FDF’s UK Food and Drink Exports report reveals the latest breakdown of food and drink exports from across the UK during 2021. The report shows that Scotland, Wales, the West Midlands and the North East of England had the strongest export growth.
Key findings from the report include:
- Scotland accounts for the largest share of UK food and drink exports, with almost 30% of total exports. This was worth £5.7bn, up 14.6% since 2020.
- Wales is the only UK nation to exceed pre-Covid export levels. This was driven by strong exports of cereals, up 173% since 2020, and now worth nearly £140m to the economy.
- The North East saw the largest increase reaching £280m – a 20.4% increase from 2020 - while the West Midlands grew by £810m, a 12.6% rise from two years ago.
Karen Betts, chief executive of FDF, said: “It’s very encouraging to see exports starting to recover across many parts of the UK, with companies starting to pull out of Covid-related disruption and adapting to the UK’s new trading relationships with countries around the world.
“Every product we export is rooted in our culture and our communities, and it’s great to see that our food and drink is sought out by consumers all over the world. Our report also shows the vital role that food and drink manufacturing plays in every community across the UK’s four nations, and how central our sector is to prosperity at home as well as in driving exports overseas.”
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is not factored into this report, and according to the FDF we’re yet to understand its full impact on our sector’s exports and on the global supply chains on which our sector relies for some ingredients, such as vegetable oils, cereals and white fish.
Minister for Exports Mike Freer added: “It’s brilliant to see food and drink companies from every corner of the UK selling their products to the world, growing our economy and supporting jobs across the country. Our 12-point Export Strategy, Export Support Service and new network of agri-food and drink attachés are all ways we’re supporting businesses to boost their exports and take advantage of exciting new opportunities across the globe."