British food exports were down more than a fifth in February 2021, new figures show, driven by a fall in sales to the EU of nearly 41% compared to a year before.
In the first few months of 2021, exports to the bloc were down more than £1.1bn, impacting sales to most member states, the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) says in a new update.
The dairy and meat sectors were worst impacted, with sales of milk and cream to the EU down 96%, and chicken and beef down by more than three quarters.
The fall in imports in February 2021 was driven by a drop of 17% from the EU compared to February 2020.
At the same time, imports from the rest of the world increased by nearly 6 percent, the FDF explains in its new 'snapshot' released on Monday (26 April).
Imports fell from each of the UK’s top six suppliers in February 2021, with these countries supplying around half of the UK’s imported food and drink.
Imports of pork, chicken and beef were down more than 30% compared to February 2020. Fruit and vegetables were down by 21% and 13% respectively.
Dominic Goudie, Head of International Trade at FDF, said UK businesses continued to struggle with 'inconsistent and incorrect' demands at EU borders.
“While UK food and drink exports to the EU have improved from a 76% fall in January, they are still down nearly 41% in February 2021.
"Exports to our biggest market, Ireland, have also dropped more than two thirds," Mr Goudie added.
"Small businesses have been hardest hit due to the collapse of groupage distribution into the EU."
New EU import requirements for composite products entered into force this week, adding even greater complexity, cost and uncertainty for UK exporters, he said.
"It is essential that the EU-UK Partnership Council and its Trade Specialised Committees are convened to urgently address problems with the implementation of the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement.”
