UK exports of food and drink are down £2.7bn (-15.9%) in the first three quarters of 2021 compared to pre-pandemic levels.
Dominic Goudie, Head of International Trade, the FDF, said:
“It is extremely disappointing to see how badly our trade with the EU has been affected, with our smallest exporters hardest hit. It is essential that the Government works constructively with the EU to improve the implementation of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement to ensure that it works for small businesses, otherwise this downturn will be here to stay.
James Withers, the head of Scotland Food and Drink, said the figures painted “a bleak picture”. He said a fall of £1.3bn in the value of exports to the EU compared to the first nine month of 2020 showed “the price of Brexit”. Brexit doesn’t have to be like this. We got the worst possible Brexit, at the worst possible time.”