The Food & Drink Federation (FDF) have released their Trade Snapshot for Q1 2021.
The report shows there has been a 28% fall in UK food and drink exports in Q1 2021 when compared to 2020. Exports to the EU fell by 47% compared to Q1 2020, whereas sales to non-EU countries were up by 0.3%. The ongoing impacts of the pandemic and the change in the EU trading relationship are both believed to have had an impact.
For the first time in the FDF’s reporting, exports to non-EU markets exceeded those to the EU, making up 55% of all UK food and drink exports.
Exports to the Republic of Ireland, traditionally the sector’s biggest export market, were down 71% at just £281m, compared to £961m in Q1 2020. Sales to Germany, Spain and Italy have also declined by more than half since Q1 2020.
On the other hand, there has been strong growth in exports to East Asia. Q1 2021 exports to China, Hong Kong, Japan and South Korea were all above the levels seen in Q1 2020. Q1 sales in China were up by more than a quarter, driven by growth in exports of pork, whisky and vegetable oils.
To read the full report, click here.