UK food and drink exports continue to spiral downwards
UK food and drink exports have fallen 10.2% to £16.3bn in the first nine months of 2024, driven by a sharp drop in alcohol sales.
Trade
UK trade in a Trump-tariff world
Concerns are mounting around the impact president elect Donald Trump could have on global trade, as he threatens eye-watering tariffs on BRICS nations and between a 10-20% tax on other areas, including the EU and UK.
How will the CPTPP trade agreement impact UK food and drink producers?
In a matter of weeks, the UK will join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).
News
UK growth could halve under Trump presidency
As Donald Trump is elected as America’s 47th president, fears are raised over potential tariff impacts.
Opinion
IMTA CEO discusses South Africa reopening for British poultry meat exports
An important milestone has been reached with the lifting of the ban on unprocessed UK poultrymeat exports to South Africa. IMTA’s Katie Doherty explores what this decision means and what the UK Government should be considering in future.
News
82% of consumers agree this is missing from supermarket shelves
There is good news for international brands wanting to target the UK market, as research finds 90% of Brits are open to trying new international flavours.
Long read
BTOM: Food for thought on a growing problem
Dan Culverhouse, UK&I managing director of Customs Support, analyses whether the recent relationship ‘reset’ with Europe will help resolve border issues.
News
South Korea and South Africa open their borders to UK poultry
UK poultry processors will soon be able to export their products to South Korea for the first time since 2020, as South Africa reopens its borders to British produce.
News
Government scraps UK-wide ‘not for EU’ labelling plans
The UK Government has scrapped plans to introduce ‘not for EU’ labelling on food products put on sale in Britain.
News
UK exports to EU down almost a quarter
Food and drink export values fell in the first six months of the year, a 6.1% decline compared to the first half of 2023.
News
Food and drink inflation rate falls to 1.3%
The food and non-alcoholic beverages inflation rate fell marginally to 1.3% during August 2024, new Office for National Statistics (ONS) data has shown.
News
Global poultry market buoyant but oversupply could tip the scales
Following years of slow growth, the global poultry market is returning to historic levels as worldwide poultry consumption is forecast to reach 2.5-3% in 2024.
Short read
‘It took us 6 months to export 4 pallets of gluten-free ham and cheese toasties’
Food Manufacture investigates one UK processer’s issues with the EU TRACES system, that resulted in severe exporting delays.
News
Inadequate border testing facilities create food waste and delays
Inadequate lab facilities at the British border are creating delays and food waste as authorities are forced to send samples back to the EU for testing, according to a cross-sector group representing the food and drink industry.
News
Birmingham Food Council creates food security game
Birmingham Food Council has developed a game for food sector professionals, planners and policymakers to improve their understanding of how system shocks could impact the UK’s food security.
News
Seasonal Workers Scheme needed to protect UK food security
Seasonal workers are needed to protect food security in the UK, according to a review by the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC).
News
Rogue traders spy UK opportunity
A series of threats to UK food security are converging to create “absolute chaos”, according to leading food scientist, as unscrupulous players seize opportunities in UK’s broken trade system.
News
Meat sector’s top 10 key asks for the next government
Members of the meat processing industry have laid out their top 10 key asks for the next UK government ahead of the July 4 election.
Long read
What does the F&B industry want from the next UK Government?
As the UK general election looms, Food Manufacture pulls together the core asks of six different federations representing the food and beverage sector.
News
We need to talk about … The next Government
Anyone who has seen governments come and go and has followed current affairs over the past few years will know the UK’s challenges will not magically disappear with a change at the top.
News
How Britain can become an exporting leader
Whilst the UK saw food and drink exports reaching record highs in 2022 at £24.8bn, we have since seen a 2% decline. In an exclusive online session on 26 June, Food Manufacture will be hearing from several experts on how the nation can reverse the trend...
News
‘Hidden’ import charges throw food prices into disarray
The financial impact of the UK’s Border Target Operating Model (BTOM) is significantly higher than what was predicted by the Government, according to the British Meat Processors Association (BMPA).
News
UK law ends live animal exports
The Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Act has received Royal Assent and mandates that animals are slaughtered domestically.
We need to talk about ...
The fallout from the latest phase of post-Brexit border controls
Provision Trade Federation (PTF) director general Rod Addy explains how the food industry is preparing for the fallout from new controls on imports from the EU.
News
Government to take ‘light tough’ approach to border controls
The UK Government plans to take a ‘light touch’ approach to post-Brexit checks on food in a bid to avoid red tape and bureaucracy, according to the exports minister.
Short read
UK red tape has ‘killed our innovation’
In a Westminster session that explored the next steps for novel foods in the UK, founder and CEO of Naturecan UK, explained how his business had been stifled by UK regulation.
News
NI food-to-go trade body elects leader to tackle major issues
The trade association representing the Northern Irish food to go industry has appointed a new chairperson to help form and lead its board in an effort to navigate the on-going challenges faced by the region.
News
87% of manufacturers unhappy with lack of government support
With more than half the world’s population voting for future governments this year, the manufacturing sector's hopes are set on those which can be influenced or improved by the right policy.
Feature
‘Not for EU’ – a done deal or will common sense prevail?
Denise Rion, British Frozen Food Federation’s head of technical, explores the increasingly complex asks of 'Not for EU' labelling and highlights how an expansion of the scheme to GB imports will cause havoc.
News
IMTA CEO labels Defra’s BTOM assumptions as ‘dangerous’
The International Meat Trade Association (IMTA) has expressed concerns that the UK won’t be ready for full vet checks when the ‘educational period’ ends later this month.
Legal Brief
Farmergeddon!
With tractor strikes in the streets, does UK fresh produce matter to the UK Government? Mark Jones, food and drink lawyer and partner at law firm, Gordons LLP, explores.
News
‘Sort the border to prevent supply chain breakdown’: Logistics UK
The food and drink supply chain is less than a month away from a complete breakdown as operators struggle to understand the Border Target Operating Model, due to come into force this month, warned trade body Logistics UK.
News
Brexit has cost UK £100m in lost salmon sales
Brexit has cost the UK up to £100m in lost salmon sales, according to industry body Scotland Salmon.
News
UK lifts tariff on California prune juice
The UK is to lift the current import tariff on California prune juice as it continues to navigate trade deals with its partners in the Indo-Pacific bloc.
Short read
F&B industry outlook: from war to inflation
We are in a period of considerable instability fuelled by political, economic and environmental challenges – Food Manufacture’s latest webinar gathered four experts to take stock on what’s been happening. Here’s the highlights…
News
UK import and export trade snapshot
The trade report from the Food and Drink Federation (FDF), which assessed the period between January and December 2023, warns that new trade barrier rules could reverse export growth.
News
‘We can expect many to stop exporting to the UK’, warns Cold Chain Federation
The association which represents the interests of UK temperature-controlled logistics has written to the Defra Secretary with concerns over Border Target Operating Model plans to come later this year.
News
How to ride the wave in a permacrisis
Food Manufacture’s upcoming webinar brings together expert panel to provide overview of UK economy and geopolitical climate, as they strive to help food producers minimise disruption in volatile times.
News
37 UK food and drink products gain protected status in Japan
A number of notable food and drink products manufactured in the UK have been granted special protected status in Japan, safeguarding them against imitation.
News
Manufacturers remain optimistic in the face of cost pressures
More than two thirds (68%) of food and drink businesses are optimistic about future growth, despite costs continuing to be a significant challenge, according to a survey by accountancy and business advisory firm Johnston Carmichael.
News
'Not for EU' labels hurt investment and food exports, warns FDF boss
‘Not for EU’ labels create unneeded cost and make UK food and drink producers less attractive to investors, according to the head of the Food and Drink Federation (FDF).
We need to talk about...
GB-wide ‘Not for EU’ labelling
Provision Trade Federation (PTF) director general Rod Addy looks at the potential implications of the 'Not for EU' labelling requirement that will impact a number of food and drink manufacturers from October 2024.
Long read
7 big moments of 2023 for food and drink
As we usher in the new year, Bethan Grylls takes a look back over the course of 2023 and flags seven key moments for the food and drink industry.
News
Whisky sales boost UK drinks exports past £9.4bn
Whisky has played a key role in boosting drinks exports, as overseas sales jump 13% to £9.4bn in the past year.
We need to talk about...
The UK's approach to trade
Despite a rich cultural history, the UK remains reluctant to shout the praises of its strong food and drink industry. Provision Trade Federation (PTF) director general Rod Addy explores Britain’s attitude to food and how it has impacted trade, security...
News
Leading manufacturing associations create manifesto for future UK government
UK advanced manufacturing can support sustainable regional and national economic growth, but it will necessitate long-term political vision, according to leaders from the UK’s top manufacturing sectors.
News
Food safety resource challenges will leave UK vulnerable
The latest ‘Our Food’ report, which assesses food standards across the UK has been published – and it’s sending out warnings of a lack of resource in key roles.
We need to talk about…
UK cheese exports to Canada: Not looking so 'grate'
UK cheese producers exporting to Canada face losing millions of pounds and are already taking a hit during post-Brexit bilateral negotiations to establish a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the country.
Short read
State of the food and drink sector in 2023 and beyond
In an exclusive online event, Food Manufacture heard from three industry experts as they captured today’s food and drink trends and how wider societal challenges have impact behaviour and policy.
Food shortages run risk of civil unrest in the UK
Food shortages caused by extreme weather could lead to civil unrest in the UK, according to new research surveying the country’s food experts.