A study conducted by the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) found its members had reported a reduced number of sales to Northern Ireland across the board.

According to a BBC report, the survey studied 83 FDF members between 4th and 19th October 2021. Under half of the study’s respondents were large businesses with more than 250 employees.

The FDF study noted that food sales to Northern Ireland were down by 13% on average year-on-year.

The survey found that smaller businesses experienced large dips in sales. However, the study did note that the data here is made from a relatively small sample of businesses. The study also noted that sales volumes to Northern Ireland were down by roughly 10% this year among large businesses.

‘A bespoke solution’

In recent weeks, the European Commission has offered a series of arrangements to respond to the difficulties that people in Northern Ireland have been experiencing because of Brexit.

The new proposals aim to further facilitate the movement of goods from Great Britain to Northern Ireland. These include a ‘bespoke solution’ for NI on food, plant and animal health that could lead to an ‘80% reduction in checks’, and ‘flexible customs formalities’ to cut paperwork.

Trade bodies, such as the Association of Independent Meat Sellers (AIMS) and British Meat Processors Association (BMPA), have welcomed new plans for the post-Brexit agreement on trade with Northern Ireland, but remain cautious about its limitations.