Call to take food and drink firms global

Total UK food and drink exports increased by 14.8 per cent in 2011, compared to the previous year, and were worth a total of £18.1bn, according to recent figures from the Food and Drink Federation. The statistics show Ireland remains Britain’s number one export destination.

Last year, saw a 55 per cent increase on 2010 to £99.1m in UK exports of food and non-alcoholic drink to China, and a 49 per cent increase to £202m to Poland.

David Lee, head of food and drink at Yorkshire Bank, said: “The financial reality for many exporting companies in recent months has been for continued growth. UK exports to Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia increased by 41 per cent [to £128.4m] and 14 per cent last year [£86.9m], while in the EU exports to the Netherlands and Belgium grew by around 30 per cent [to £1,179.2m and £569.3m respectively].

“Plainly, there are real opportunities for companies with a strong business model and an understanding of growing markets. The end result of achieving growth abroad will be increased support for the wider UK economy through increased production and jobs creation.

“A change in eating habits in Asian countries has seen a substantial increase in the flow of Western products.”

He said that interest in this area is not contained to exports – Shanghai-based Bright Foods has recently taken a majority shareholding in Weetabix.

“Now is the time for UK companies to do their homework and find new markets for established domestic foods.”