- Export opportunities worth nearly £100 million unlocked for British food and drink sector in 2025.
- 16 agri-food attachés removed 41 trade barriers since January 2025.
- Reopened pork exports to China valued up to £80 million.
- Secured seafood access to Vietnam worth £4 million annually.
- Unlocked £35 million per year in dairy exports to Egypt.
- Facilitated a £3.8 million annual pork deal with Mexico.
- Food and drink is the UK’s largest manufacturing sector worth £37 billion.
- Sector employs nearly 500,000 people in the UK.
- US market opened to UK beetroot growers in September 2024.
- Attachés based in key markets worldwide, returning to the UK for industry engagement in November 2025.
UK Food Exports Get £100 Million Boost in 2025
British food and drink businesses are set to benefit from export opportunities valued at nearly £100 million this year. The achievement comes after the UK’s network of agri-food attachés helped remove 41 trade barriers and opened up key international markets since January.
Pork, Dairy, and Seafood Lead Market Wins
Among the major breakthroughs, pork exports worth up to £80 million have been reestablished with China, while live seafood producers gained access to Vietnam’s market valued at £4 million annually. Meanwhile, dairy exports to Egypt now hold a projected value of £35 million per year. Mexico has also signed off on a £3.8 million pork import deal.
Industry and Government Collaboration Driving Growth
The UK’s food and drink sector, worth £37 billion and supporting nearly half a million jobs, is gaining momentum globally. The attachés, working closely with industry and government as part of the Plan for Change, are playing a key role in boosting food security and economic activity.
Dame Angela Eagle, Minister for Food Security, highlighted the success of this collaboration, saying that every trade barrier removed creates opportunities for British farmers and food producers to expand their reach.
Attachés Return Home to Strengthen UK Partnerships
The 16 attachés are returning to the UK from 3 to 7 November to engage directly with producers ranging from innovative agricultural firms in Yorkshire to leading alcohol exporters. These visits aim to identify new global opportunities and discuss ongoing export challenges.
According to the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), international trade continues to be vital for ensuring a diverse export portfolio, especially for the UK’s red meat and dairy sectors.
High-Value Exports Continue to Shine
Leading UK food exports last year included luxury items such as whisky, chocolate, and salmon, alongside essential products like cereals and animal feed, underscoring the sector’s wide-ranging economic impact.