News article
19 April 2010
Food exports hit all time high
Back to list of articles
PRESS RELEASE
Exports of food and non-alcoholic drinks have hit record levels, according to
new research for the Food and Drink Federation. With food and drink exports
growing in value by 4.4% to £9.65bn in 2009, a fifth consecutive year of
growth, the
food and drink industry significantly outperformed other manufacturing sectors,
which experienced an 11.8% slump in overseas sales.
Within the overall export success of the UK’s largest manufacturing sector, key
highlights include:
- Non-alcoholic drinks was the best performing sector, growing 20.6% to £318.6m,
driven by strong sales in EU markets such as Ireland, France, Spain and Germany
- Fish and seafood was up by 15% to £1160.4m, including a 42.3% rise in the
exports of fresh salmon.
- Other added value product areas in strong growth included breakfast cereals (up
17.2%), sauces and condiments (up 9.2%) and sugar confectionary (up 10.9%).
- Case study material (see below for more details) include Welsh sea salt used to
make Barack Obama’s favourite chocolate caramels, a burgeoning Asian taste for
traditional English lemon curd, a Paprika crisp designed for the Holland market
now successful across Europe and Indian chutneys spicing up diets in Germany,
Switzerland & Japan
The EU remains the main destination for UK food and drink exports, accounting
for 79.2% of overseas sales. But significant growth has been recorded outside
Europe – with sales to the Oceania region up 15.9% and exports to North America
jumping 14.8%.
Melanie Leech, Director General of the Food and Drink Federation, said:
“This is the fifth consecutive year of record exports by the food and drink
industry – demonstrating the significant economic value of our sector. This
strong
performance is testimony to the persistence and entrepreneurial spirit of
British
manufacturers – as well as a reflection of the quality of what they produce. I
am proud of the fact our sector has continued to report significant overseas
success at a time when UK exports as a whole have taken a significant hit.”
More Information
- FDF Press team
-
Cath Wilkins on [email protected] or 020 7420 7132
-
Sarah Lovell on [email protected] or 020 7420 7131
-
Rebecca Wilhelm [email protected] or 020 7420 7140
Some of the stories behind this year’s success:
The Anglesey Sea Salt Company Ltd (Sauces & Condiments category)
The Anglesey Sea Salt Company Ltd was founded 10 years ago on the Isle of
Anglesey in Wales and now supplies its signature ‘Halen Môn’ salt crystals to
22
countries across the globe. An impressive 45% of the company’s annual turnover
comes
from exports sales, with key markets in Europe and Hong Kong. Their most
successful products are Organic Celery Salt, which is loved by the Italians,
and Oak
Smoked Salt, which appeals to the Spaniards and which is used on President
Obama’s
favourite chocolate caramels, made by Frans Chocolates in Seattle.
Burts Crisps (Prepared Foods – crisps category)
Devon based maker of hand fried potato chips, Burts Crisps owes 25% of its
turnover in 2009 to its exports sales – its best figure yet. Its chips are now
available in 18 countries worldwide and the company sees a substantial part of
its
continued success and growth as coming from exports. It anticipates that it is
set
to grow its exports by up to 33% of turnover in 2010. Burts Sea Salt flavoured
hand made potato chips is the company’s best seller across Europe. Holland is
Burt’s most successful market accounting for 32% of its exports, and it was for
the
Holland market that they specially developed the highly successful Paprika
flavour crisps, which have since proved to be a success in other markets.
Dart Valley Foods (Sauces & Condiments category)
From the heart of rural Hampshire, Dart Valley Foods exports traditional gourmet
British foods across the globe. Its top market is Germany, followed by France
and Holland. Exports are an important part of the company’s business approach
and
accounts for around 10-15% of the company’s annual turnover – a figure that has
held steady in recent years. Their latest exports missions have identified
interest in their products in countries such as Finland and Austria. Asia has
also
shown a particular interest in traditional British tea-time foods such as Lemon
Curd which is the company’s top export product.
Dorset Cereals (Breakfast Cereals category)
Established in 1989, Dorset Cereals produce premium breakfast cereals from its
factory in Poundbury in Dorset, including mueslis, porridges, cereal bars and
granolas. Exports account for 20% of its turnover and Dorset Cereals’ recipes
are
available in more than 70 countries. The Company’s exports have increased
significantly in the last few years and are an important part of its growth
strategy,
particularly with reference to the North American and European markets. To
date,
muesli is its most successful export product and its biggest markets are
currently the US, Canada, the Netherlands and UAE, selling well in the major
retailers
in all those markets.
Eat Natural (Breakfast Cereals category)
Producer of fruit and nut snacks and breakfast cereals at their ‘Makery’ in
Halstead in Essex, Eat Natural increased their exports by 25% in 2009. By
devising a
targeted sales strategy to break into new markets in Europe, the brand is now
successful in Holland, Denmark, France and Sweden. Eat Natural’s success story
in
its export market in 2009 is also due to changes in the global economy, which
Eat Natural played to their advantage, offsetting its Euro imports with its
Euro
exports. The result has been this tremendous boost for the business, meaning
that
there’s been no price increase hitting the consumer.
Geeta’s Foods (Sauces & Condiments category)
London-based Geeta’s Foods is a truly modern British exports success story,
championing Britain’s love of Indian food around the world. Manufacturer of
chutneys, pickles, sauces and cooking pastes, this company has increased its
exports by
86% over the last three years, accounting for 19% of its turnover in 2009. Its
‘most successful markets are Germany, Switzerland and Japan, where
well-travelled
consumers or those with a taste for something ‘different’ have warmed to their
products. Geeta’s chutney’s and Regional Sauce range are their most popular
export products, with chutneys adding a new dimension to traditional European
cuisine. Exports are a key focus for the company with a future goal of
achieving 40% of sales coming from exports.
Macphie of Glenbervie Ltd (Sauces and Condiments category)
Macphie have been creating innovative, premium food ingredients for over 80
years, producing a wide range of products, from cake and bread mixes and
concentrates, to sauces, toppings and desserts. The company saw their 2009/10
overseas
volumes with European wholesale customers increase by 16% over the 2008/09
period.
In France alone, some specific product ranges experienced a massive 45%
increase
in volume with a major client. Year-on-year growth in the Middle East was 9%,
and following their engagement in this emerging market, one of Macphie’s key
clients has committed to a further expansion of orders amounting to a 53%
increase in
volume.
Typhoo (Non-alcoholic Drinks category)
Typhoo Tea was established in the UK in 1903 and since then has grown from
strength to strength to become one of world’s best-loved tea brands. Its
products,
which include both hot and cold beverages, are enjoyed in over 40 countries
worldwide. Exports accounts for 7% of their turnover, with the aim to grow to
10% in
2010. The company’s exports have increased over the last few years, including
new
markets such as West Africa, the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS),
Australia and New Zealand, where the Typhoo brand has strong appeal to the
British
expatriate community. Their current top markets are North America, Central
Europe
and Scandinavia.
United Biscuits (Sweet Biscuits category)
McVitie’s Digestives is just one of United Biscuits’ brands that enjoys popular
appeal abroad, enabling the company to achieve year on year growth in exports
which in 2009 accounted for around 5-6% of its annual turnover. Makers of
several
well-loved British brands such as Carr’s Table Water biscuits and Jacobs
Crackers, United Biscuits top markets for 2009 were North America, Asia, Middle
East
and Australia. The company views exports as a key area for growth in 2010.
Vimto (Non-alcoholic Drinks category)
Nichols PLC has exported its flagship Vimto® brand since 1920 when the taste
became popular in India. Since then the Vimto® brand has carved out a
substantial
market share in the Middle East and Africa and is now present in over 65
countries worldwide. In 2009 Vimto® enjoyed another successful year
internationally with
sales increasing by 33% to £12.0 million. In the well established Middle East
market exports grew by 40% year on year with growth across both cordial and
carbonated products. In Africa Vimto® increased the level of locally
manufactured
product, invested more in marketing and launched Vimto® into South Africa,
which
resulted in sales increasing by 11% in this region. In total, consumption of
the
Vimto® brand outside the United Kingdom reached a record 413 million litres in
the
year. Exports are vital to Nichols PLC, accounting for 16% of its turnover in
2008.
The Weetabix Food Company (Breakfast Cereals category)
For the manufacturer of cereal brands Weetabix, Alpen and Weetos, The Weetabix
Food Company exports account for 12% of the company’s turnover with the biggest
volume of business in European markets. Exports are important for the company
because consumption of breakfast cereals and cereal bars are growing
significantly
outside of the UK and especially in the Middle East and Far East markets.
Weetabix breakfast cereal accounts for 46% of the company’s total export
business, and
its best markets are in Northern European markets where it has brand heritage
and where health is a key consumer motivation. The company expects to continue
to
expand it’s exports activities, especially in markets such as the Middle East
which has seen a significant 30% year-on-year growth in the past two years.
Westaway Sausages (Meat category)
Westaway Sausages export their Authentic Butcher’s style sausages all over the
world. They began their exports activities five years ago and since then have
seen both the volume and the number of countries it supplies to increase every
year. The company produces traditional British Sausages at its factory in
Devon, and
now owes 5% of its annual turnover to its exports success. It’s most successful
markets are in Hong Kong, France and the Falklands, and it is constantly
improving brand presentation and marketing abroad which is bringing extra sales
and new
customers.
Other Useful Statistics
Top 10 export markets for food and non-alcoholic drinks
- Ireland (£2,589.0m)
- France (£1,211.4m)
- Netherlands (£847.8m)
- Germany (£659.9m)
- Spain (£579.7m)
- Italy (£451.0m)
- Belgium (£373.5m)
- United States (£303.0m)
- Denmark (£160.2m)
- Portugal (£153.6m)
Top 10 fastest growing export markets for food and non-alcoholic drinks
- Vietnam (£20.3m, up 68%)
- Egypt (£74.1m, up 42.9%)
- Ukraine (£16.5m, up 31.0%)
- China (£49.7m, up 30.7%)
- United Arab Emirates (£89.2m, up 18.3%)
- Israel (£35.9m, up 18.2%)
- United States (£303.0m, up 17.4%)
- Australia (£80.7m, up 17.2%)
- Singapore (£21.3m, up 16.9%)
- Malaysia (£22.6m, up 16.7%)
Top 10 food and drink export products, 2009
| Rank |
Products |
2009 (£m) |
% change 2008-09 |
| 1 |
Breakfast cereals |
413.4 |
17.2 |
| 2 |
Chocolate |
365.9 |
1.1 |
| 3 |
Lamb |
311.9 |
18.6 |
| 4 |
Fresh fish |
309.0 |
28.2 |
| 5 |
Soft drinks |
291.5 |
23.4 |
| 6 |
Cheese |
282.6 |
0.5 |
| 7 |
Beef |
257.5 |
20.8 |
| 8 |
Crustaceans |
238.9 |
-1.4 |
| 9 |
Poultry |
229.3 |
5.5 |
| 10 |
Sweet biscuits |
220.9 |
8.3 |
Back to list of articles