Food producers can benefit from export opportunities estimated to be worth nearly £100 million following intensive work by a network of agri-food attachés, the UK Government says.
It said that since January, the 16 attachés have unlocked these opportunities by removing 41 trade barriers and opening new global markets for British producers. This includes securing access to Vietnam’s thriving live seafood market worth £4 million a year, and unlocking £35 million in dairy exports to Egypt a year, as well as sealing a £3.8 million annual pork deal with Mexico, all according to industry estimates.
Since being established, the scheme has extended the global reach of the UK’s food and drink sector – the nation’s largest manufacturing industry, worth £37 billion and employing nearly half a million people. Previous victories for British farmers and producers include opening the US market to beetroot growers in September 2024 for the first time in our history and the reopening of pork markets to China worth £80 million, the UK Government said.
Minister for Food Security Dame Angela Eagle said:
“Every trade barrier we remove is another door opened for British farmers and food producers to sell their world-leading products.
“From our beef to our baked goods, British food and drink is highly sought after in markets worldwide and, thanks to the dedicated work of our trade attachés, we’re helping our producers grow their businesses and the economy.
“This boost to export opportunities shows what can be achieved when government works hand-in-hand with our food and farming sectors to champion British products across the globe.”
The attachés, based in key markets worldwide, returned from their international posts in early November to meet producers whose interests they represent overseas.
From visits to up-and-coming innovators in Yorkshire to the UK’s biggest alcohol exporters, these meetings are designed to help attachés understand more about the experiences of UK exporters and identify new opportunities for British produce in their respective markets.
Jonathan Eckley, Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) International Trade Development Director, said:
“Ensuring we have a broad portfolio of markets for our world-class red meat and dairy produce is essential to maximise opportunities around the world and we will continue to work with the agri-attachés, wider government and industry to help ensure those products thrive in the global market.
“International trade plays a major role in supporting our levy payers and the collaborative approach between AHDB, industry and government in securing market access and supporting export development delivers tangible results for our red meat and dairy sectors.”
