Report
Exports Snapshot: Full Year 2020
Published: 15 March 2021
Updated: 14 May 2021
Topics
We publish regular reports outlining the latest UK food and drink export statistics, which can help your company to prioritise markets for exporting. Our reports include: data on the UK's top food and drink exports, key export markets, areas for growth, and updates on FDF's trade-related policy work.
- In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on businesses operating across the food and drink sector. Exports fell by 9.7% compared to the previous year, with the value amounting to £21.3bn. This fall began early in Q1, when COVID-19 restrictions first had an impact in February and March.
- Despite sporadic re-openings of the hospitality and travel sectors throughout the year, UK food and drink exports declined substantially in all quarters.
- However, an easing of restrictions and the need for businesses to move goods into the EU before the end of the transition period meant that exports only declined by 1.7% in Q4 2020.
- Unfortunately, we expect the partial recovery of exports in Q4 to only be temporary. Early data for January suggests a further reduction in the value of exports to EU markets, with the full data set to be published in the FDF’s forthcoming Q1 Exports report.
- A decline in value of exports in 2020 was seen in both EU and non-EU markets, falling by -8% and -12.1% respectively. The trade deficit continued to grow, with the dependence on imports increasing by 9.2% compared to 2019.
- Most of the top 10 food and drink products exported by the UK were negatively impacted by COVID-19 and restrictions of movement. However, branded products demonstrated continued growth.