British exports to EU recover to near pre-Covid levels in third quarter

British food exports to the European Union have grown by nearly a fifth in the third quarter of 2022, compared with the same period last year.

The Food & Drink Federation’s trade snapshot showed that exports to both EU and non-EU markets had “increased substantially” from last year, with sales to the bloc approaching pre-pandemic levels.

UK food and drink exports increased 23.2% overall in the quarter from last year, with exports to the EU up 17.8%.

Sales to non-EU countries were also up notably year on year (30.4%) in a sign of strong trade deals with more distant neighbours.

The products that saw a bigger rise in overall export volumes in the past nine months included gin (35.2%), beef (23.1%) and cheese (19.6%).

Meanwhile, salmon and wine exports have decreased somewhat significantly in the same period compared with 2021 (24.5% and 4.6% respectively).

FDF head of international trade Dominic Goudie said the figures demonstrated “that the appetite for British food and drink continues to grow around the world”.

“Defra and the Department for International Trade are taking important steps to boost support available to our food and drink exporters,” he said.

“We are keen to work in close partnership with all UK governments to take forward practical recommendations utilising all of the tools in the UK’s trade policy to drive further growth in our sector,” Goudie added.

Sales to the EU in Q3 hit £3.5bn, recovering to near pre-pandemic numbers (£3.6bn in Q3 2019).

While inflation has helped boost turnover, volumes have also continued to grow on “soaring demand” for UK goods in some EU member states – particularly Spain (52%), Italy (42%) and the Netherlands (35%).

France continued to be the bloc’s biggest importer of British food and drink products.

“We are very heartened to see substantial growth in exports to the EU in Q3 which reflects our members’ determination to find new and workable trading and logistics solutions,” said Food & Drink Exporters Association director Nicola Thomas, adding they had seen “renewed interest” from EU buyers at trade shows such as Sial.

Non-EU exports also continued to grow, with mounting demand from countries like the UAE, Singapore and South Korea – all of which are set for new or improved trade deals with the UK – as well as India.

The FDF said it anticipated further strong growth, with Defra’s new network of agrifood and drink attachés now being placed in key overseas markets to help promote trade and boost exports.

Imports from non-EU countries from July to September this year have also continued to see strong growth (26.7%) to a total of £14.1bn – £9.8bn of which relate to EU imports.

The FDF noted the increase in value of imports was partly to do with the depreciation of sterling against the euro.