Exports of food and non-alcoholic drinks bucked the recessionary trend and were up 10.2% to £4.82bn in the first six months of the year, according to new research commissioned by the Food and Drink Federation (FDF)[1]. Exports of all UK goods were down 13.4% over the same period.
If this strong performance is maintained through the second half of 2009, food and non-alcoholic drinks exports could pass through the £10bn barrier for the first time. The sector is already on track for its fourth consecutive year of record export growth.
Star performers in the first half of this year included ice cream (up 55% to £43.4m);soups (up 37.5% to £17.1m);sauces and condiments (up 28.1% to £96.4m);soft drinks (up 22.2% to £151.1m);coffee (up 19.7% to £33m);crisps (up 13.7% to £27.3m);breakfast cereals (up 12.5% to £207.3m);and sweet biscuits (up 12.4% to £95.2m).
Europe remains the standout region for exports, with its share of UK food and non-alcoholic drinks exports now at 80.8%, fuelled by strong growth in sales to The Netherlands, France, Italy and Spain (top export markets).
Melanie Leech, Director General, Food and Drink Federation, says: "These figures are testimony to the efforts of UK food and drink exporters to keep building their overseas sales in what are very challenging international trading conditions. Food and drink is one of the few sectors to have bucked the trend of falling exports - and that's due, in part, to our strong reputation for supplying high quality, innovative products. Our new report on exports is an important reminder for the Government of the strong economic contribution made by the UK's biggest manufacturing sector".
