New research from the Government Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has revealed that strong demand for artisan chocolate has boosted British exports significantly in the past year.
According to Defra’s figures, the UK’s chocolate industry has grown to be worth £1.1 billion in the past year, at a time when foreign customers are accounting for some £680 million of all sales.
Between 2010 and 2017, artisan chocolate exports have grown by an astonishing 84 per cent, the figures reveal, and the sector itself has welcomed hundreds of new small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) entrants.
Commenting, George Eustice, Minister of Food and Farming, said: “There has been a huge growth in the number of independent chocolatiers in the UK and they are very adept at creating delicious products that are shaping consumer tastes around the world.
“There are great opportunities to increase our food and drink exports and increasing market access around the world is a major focus for Government.”
The news comes at a time when British exports are performing well in other sectors, too.
Earlier this week, IHS Markit’s latest Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) revealed that export orders among British manufacturers had risen for the third consecutive month in March.