News article
26 March 2012
Food and drink exports top £12 billion
Back to list of articles
PRESS RELEASE
Food and non-alcoholic drink exports rose to over £12 billion (£12,152.4m) in 2011, exceeding expectations and
confirming significant potential for overseas growth over the next decade.
The previous year's results (2010) proved a landmark for the industry when
figures broke through the £10 billion barrier, but the 2011 results show
performance
is up by 11.4% on 2010. The £12 billion figure is good news for the food and
drink manufacturing industry which has set itself the ambition to grow 20% by 2020.
Export growth has been fuelled by strong performance in new and emerging markets including Eastern Europe and the Far East. China entered the top 20 export destinations for the first time with a 55% increase on 2010, partly due to changing tastes
and an increasingly westernised diet. South Korea increased by 37% and Hong
Kong
by 41%. Established non EU markets also performed well with exports to the US
rising by 25% between 2010-2011. The non EU share of the £12 billion total was
23%
compared to 77% for the EU.
The UK's traditional EU customers also remained loyal, with Ireland remaining
the top export destination closely followed by France and the Netherlands.
Dutch
interest in UK products increased with a 30% increase echoed by Belgium (29.9%)
and Germany (15%).
Interesting percentage rises were recorded in many key product sectors. The
highest percentage rises in food were seen in fish fillets (32%); beef (32%);
milk
and cream (20%); lamb (20%) and cheese (18%). Prepared foods (including prepared meat; sweet biscuits and soft drinks) all exhibited double
digit growth and the export of chocolate, the UK's biggest value added product,
grew by 16%. Some sectors have reversed previous declines, including breakfast cereals as companies have broadened their export activity to non EU customers.
Exports are of key importance in the food and drink manufacturing industry's
drive for growth. The sector has proved resilient during the recession, bucking
the
general downward trend in manufacturing industries. An exports action plan was
recently launched, a joint initiative between industry and Government to work
together to increase export potential and remove barriers.
FDF Director General Melanie Leech said:
“Whilst the domestic market is growing at a steady rate we are seeing very
strong performance from food and drink exports. There remains considerable
interest
in British heritage brands and around our health and wellbeing innovation.
Companies understand the importance of developing new markets, competing
successfully
in many cases against other experienced exporters in France, Germany and Spain."
“We were delighted to work with Government on the export action plan launched
earlier this year, which should be of benefit in particular to SMEs which are
by
far the biggest sector of our industry and have the potential to grow in
existing
and emerging markets.”
Food and Farming Minister Jim Paice said:
“Our food industry should be congratulated for its continued success. It's a
vital part of the British economy and can play a key part in the UK's economic
recovery."
“I want to make sure food businesses get the right support to exploit the
potential for export led growth, which I believe can be achieved through the
Government's export action plan.”
Note to Editors
- View the full exports report.
More information
For further information please contact the FDF press Team:
-
-
Nicki Hunt on or 020 7420 7132 - nicki.hunt@fdf.org.uk
-
Rebecca Wilhelm or 020 7420 7140 - rebecca.wilhelm@fdf.org.uk
-
Sarah Jenkinson or 020 7420 7131 - sarah.jenkinson@fdf.org.uk
-
Anna Taylor or 020 7420 7118 - anna.taylor@fdf.org.uk
Back to list of articles