A new official report suggests that the UK food and drink sector continues to perform well in overseas markets, with total exports soaring to £22 billion last year.
Figures published by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) at the weekend reveal that the British food industry exported to 217 international markets in 2017, with dairy, salmon and pork exports performing particularly well over the course of the year.
Official export data from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) reveals that salmon exports, in particular, grew by as much as 35 per cent year-on-year, up £155.5 million on figures recorded in 2016.
Meanwhile, the UK successfully exported £85 million worth of cheese to France, £21 million worth of chocolate to Belgium and £2 million worth of tea to China – indicating the far-reaching and sometimes surprising potential of British exports to both European Union (EU) and non-EU nations.
The figures suggest that Britain’s drink sector, in particular, is increasingly expanding its horizons, with British beer being exported to Japan, New Zealand and many other faraway nations.
Meanwhile, Scottish whisky exports also soared to a record high last year, generating an impressive £4.36 billion and accounting for more than 20 per cent of all UK food and drink exports in total.
The data has been welcomed as “encouraging” for the UK at a time of political uncertainty concerning Britain’s future relationship with Europe.
Michael Gove, DEFRA Secretary of State, said: “Farmers, fishermen and our food producers are all helping to deliver a Brexit bonus, with more exports of British food and drink than ever.
“Contrary to the constant negativity of the doom-mongers, the British economy is going from strength to strength.”