UK: Selling pork to China boosts UK food exports

By CnAgri2013-09-24 11:39:54 Print

UK food and soft drink export revenues increased in the first half of the year, helped by the country's pork sales to China.

Export sales were up 2.5% at GBP6.1bn (US$9.77bn) in the six months to the end of June. Revenues were down in the first quarter but a recovery, particular in June, helped the figures, according to industry association The Food and Drink Federation, which issued the data.

The top export markets for UK food and soft drinks have historically been in western Europe, as well as the US, but the FDF said China had broken into the top ten customers for the country's wares.

China was the tenth-largest export market for UK food and soft drinks in the first half of the year, up from 18th for the whole of 2012. The FDF said pork sales to China was a key factor in that growth. Last May, the UK government announced a GBP50m deal to sell pork products to China.

Sales to the EU were up 1%, although sales to Germany, Belgium, Spain and Italy - all in the top ten markets for UK food and soft drink exports - fell.

The UK's top three markets - Ireland, France and the Netherlands - all bought more food and soft drinks in the first half of 2013 compared to the corresponding period last year.

Sales of chocolate, cheese and sweet biscuits were among the larger sectors to see exports grow. Prepared meat, ice cream and smoked fish were among those that export revenues fall.