Exports of British food and drink to the EU have drop by more than a third since Brexit, highlighting the impact of bureaucratic hurdles on trade with the UK’s key economic partner, according to new figures from the Food and Drink Federation (FDF).
While products like whisky, chocolate, and cheese remain popular in the EU, overall food export volumes fell to 6.37 billion kg in 2024—a 34% decline from 2019. The FDF attributes this downturn primarily to post-Brexit trade rules, although global events such as the Covid-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine have also played a role. Meanwhile, other European nations, including the Netherlands, Germany, and Italy, have expanded their food exports since 2020.
At the same time, food and drink imports into the UK reached a record high in 2024, as British farmers faced financial strain due to tax changes, extreme weather, and rising costs. Imports were valued at £63.1 billion, with EU imports increasing by 3.3% from the previous year and non-EU imports growing by 7.4%. The EU remains the UK’s largest food and drink trade partner, accounting for nearly two-thirds of exports (61.8%) and three-quarters of imports (75.6%), totaling £45 billion in 2024.
Despite the UK introducing new border checks on EU animal and plant product imports in April 2024, imports from the bloc have continued to rise. However, UK exporters still face stricter EU import regulations and has drop, creating particular challenges for small and medium-sized businesses.
The FDF is urging the UK government to collaborate with the industry to ease trade barriers with the EU. Balwinder Dhoot, the FDF’s director of industry growth and sustainability, emphasized the need for action, stating that the current bureaucracy is severely affecting the UK’s 12,500 food and drink businesses.
Globally, British food exports rose by nearly 6% in 2024, driven by free trade agreements. UK exports to Australia, for example, grew by 9% to £429.5 million following the implementation of the UK-Australia trade deal. While Ireland and France remain the UK’s top food export markets, the US has moved into third place, with British staples such as tea and biscuits seeing strong demand.
Looking ahead, the FDF hopes for a UK-US trade agreement that shields the food and drink industry from tariffs, particularly after former US President Donald Trump recently threatened a 200% tariff on EU wine and champagne, escalating global trade tensions.
