The UK recently marked five years since it left the European Union at the beginning of 2020.
Since 2019, according to a report by the UK’s Food and Drink Federation (FDF), exports to the EU have fallen by 34.1%. The UK’s main exports to the EU are chocolate, cheese and whisky.
In 2024 alone, food export volumes to the EU fell by 17.2%, while at the same time imports from the EU increased by 3.3%. Globally, the UK’s food export volumes increased by 5.7%.
According to the FDF, EU imports to the UK are subject to fewer checks than vice versa, following the introduction of the UK’s Border Target Operating Model (BTOM).
On average, the UK’s food export volumes have been 19.8% lower between 2020 and 2024 than they were between 2015 and 2019. Conversely, France saw a mere 5.7% decrease, while Germany saw a 3% increase, Italy a 7.2% increase, and the Netherlands a 12.2% increase.
While the impacts on trade of the war in Ukraine, as well as Covid-19, are also factors, the disparity between the UK and other EU countries cannot be ignored.
In the FDF’s view, the decline is linked to the UK’s trading relationship with the EU, rather than a purely global trend.
On the other hand, the EU remains the UK’s main trading partner, accounting for 61.8% of exports and 75.6% of imports in 2024. Some trading relationships within the EU, such as Ireland for milk and cream exports and beef imports, remain strong.
“These latest figures show the stark reality for the UK’s 12,500 food and drink businesses who are struggling to deal with the complexity and bureaucracy that comes when trading with Europe. Government must prioritise working with the EU, and our industry, to remove as many of these barriers as possible,” said Balwinder Dhoot, director of industry growth and sustainability for FDF.
“It’s important that we don’t just get a quick fix, but the right fit for the UK when it comes to our relationship with the EU. We stand ready to work with government to develop a trade deal that will drive growth in our sector.”