20% food industry growth by 2020 is 'realistic'
In this exclusive podcast, Jones said small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) would play a key role in helping to achieving the ambitious growth targets set out in shared vision by FDF and government.
Specifically SMEs would play a pivotal role in helping to boost UK exports and drive forward the industry’s growth programme.
State-backed, competition
The industry should work closely with government to meet the threat of aggressive, sometimes state-backed, competition in key food and drink export markets such as continental Europe, said Jones.
UK food and drink exports were 13% up at £5.8bn in the first half of this year. Exports to the EU, the UK's biggest trading partner, climbed 12.6% to reach £4.4bn. Double digit growth was recorded in deliveries to three EU countries: The Netherlands, up by 27.8%, Germany, up by 26%, and Belgium up by 48.5%.
