In its 2025 Trade Snapshot, the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) revealed that food and drink exports from the UK experienced “record value growth” last year, reaching £25.6 billion.
FDF said this was the highest value on record, having grown 4.8% year-on-year. It also highlighted that imports reached a “historic high” of £66.9 billion, up 5.9% compared to 2024.
In the report, FDF detailed how food exports have “failed to return” to the highs they saw before the UK’s exit from the EU. On a global scale, FDF reported some recovery compared to 2024, with food export volumes increasing 6% to 8.9 billion kg, but this was over a 27% lower than in 2019.
EU food export volumes were 31% lower in 2025 than 2019 levels, which FDF attributed to the “added complexity” that businesses face trading with the EU. The Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Agreement will aim to remove additional checks and certification, but FDF said that for this to have its intended outcome, Government must prioritise providing businesses with the right support to prepare for this regulatory change.
FDF highlighted that non-SPS products like chocolate, biscuits and breakfast cereals – which will only see very limited benefits from the SPS agreement – have seen some of the steepest declines in exports over the past five years compared to the five years prior to Brexit. FDF called for more accessible customs guidance and practical support for businesses, via both the Government’s overseas network and through available support in the UK.
Tariffs impact global supply
The additional tariffs imposed by the US in the second half of 2025 had a “significant impact” on global supply chains, said FDF. The UK’s exports to the US dropped 8.9% in H2 2025 compared to H2 2024, which was described as a “stark contrast” to the 18.1% rise in the first half of 2025.
FDF claimed that US tariffs had changed global trading patterns, and detailed how Chinese exports to the US fell 21.5% in 2025. UK imports from China grew by 11.6%, while Chinese exports to India and Turkey increased by 78.6% and 67.1% respectively, as Chinese suppliers redirected food and drink exports to alternative markets, including the UK.
The current conflict in the Middle East is bringing “further turbulence” to the global trade outlook, FDF found. Food and drink manufacturers already face higher costs, which will impact product pricing and competitiveness, as well as a decline in sales to the region. The level of disruption to supply chains is still unclear and adding further uncertainty, but likely to become more apparent in the coming months.
Export growth was seen across fast-growing economies, including Indonesia (52%), Colombia (153.7%), and India (12.4%). Food exports to members of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) increased 7.8% in volume terms in 2025 following the UK’s accession to the trade bloc in December 2024. With Indonesia, Uruguay and the Philippines all prospective members, there could be further opportunities for the UK in the pipeline, FDF said.
At the same time, the trade body found that the UK’s non-EU food imports are growing faster than those from the EU. Non-EU imports now make up 30.9% of the UK’s total imports, increasing from 29.3% in 2024, driven by imports from countries like Brazil and Canada.
“With export volumes still far from pre-Brexit levels, the Government needs to step up and support exporters to enter and become established in global markets.”
Karen Betts, chief executive of The Food and Drink Federation (FDF), said: “British food and drink is sought after worldwide – it is known for its high quality, innovation, and connection to our cultural heritage. It’s good to see some British products flying in overseas markets, and others holding their own in tough trading conditions.
“But rising production costs, tariffs and behind the border barriers, as well as worsening household budgets in some markets, mean that real export growth continues to be challenging. Conflict in the Middle East only makes this harder.
“With export volumes still far from pre-Brexit levels, the Government needs to step up and support exporters to enter and become established in global markets. The EU SPS agreement won’t be easy, with some businesses needing to reconfigure their supply chains, so ensuring that every UK food and drink business understands the regulatory changes ahead is vital – whether they trade with the EU or not.”
FDF said that despite food and drink manufacturing being well placed to support Government in driving UK economic growth, Government must take action to restore exports to pre-Brexit levels as cost pressures rise for businesses.
FDF is calling for Government to support its ambition to grow UK food and drink exports by £10 billion in the next decade. To do this, it is urging Government to make a £2.6 million investment to replicate Scottish and Welsh SME export support at a UK-wide level, which it said could include expanding Government support for SMEs to attend targeted key trade shows or through facilitating ‘meet the buyer’ events.
