FDF and UKTI drive exports interest to Central and Eastern Europe
6 June 2013
Today, the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) and UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) helped UK manufacturers get ahead by revealing the export opportunities in Central and Eastern Europe, and tips on how to break into these profitable markets.
A workshop held at the QEII in London, provided a one stop shop for new and existing food and drink exporters looking for new markets with the potential to deliver future business growth. UKTI's regional experts and retailers, including Tesco, equipped delegates with key market insight and tools to help them develop export strategies to these crucial markets. Delegates also heard about successful case studies from established exporters to the regions.
According to the HMRC Trade Information Statistics, exports to Central and Eastern Europe grew by 119% between 2007 and 2012, twice the growth rate seen across all markets (60%).
As part of its commitment to drive forward exports within our industry, FDF has been formally recognised as an approved Trade Challenge Partner of UKTI, one of only 99 bodies in the UK. This allows FDF to work more closely with UKTI to deliver events for industry and to inform Government activity in order to boost UK food and drink exports.
David Heath Minister for Food at DEFRA said:
“I'm delighted to see so many businesses learning from each other and seeking opportunities to grow.
“Exports of food and drink to Central and Eastern Europe have increased by 38% since 2009. Demand for products such as whiskey, salmon and chocolate are on the up but there's still scope for more.
“We must do all we can to support UK food and drink companies so they can take full advantage of these opportunities. We have a range of excellent information and advice for businesses including the new 'Open to Export' on-line service, but it's equally important that the industry is able to tell us where Government support can be of most use.”
Melanie Leech, Food and Drink Federation's Director General, said:
“Food and drink manufacturing is the single largest manufacturing sector in the UK and is growing at a faster rate than most other sectors. The UK industry already has strong export links with Europe but now is the time for businesses who do not currently export to grasp the opportunities available and extend their reach further to new and emerging markets like Central and Eastern Europe. Exports are vital to the future growth of our industry. As part of our shared vision for growth of 20% by 2020, exports sits firmly within our vision to drive forward food and drink exports both in existing and emerging markets. We hope this event not only encourages experienced exporters to explore this essential market but also give new exporters the foothold they need to consider exporting.”
Jonathan Knott, UKTI H.M Ambassador for Budapest, said:
“The countries of Central and Eastern Europe offer huge potential to British exporters. UK exports of goods to the region were worth over £9.5 billion last year. Of this, we exported close to £400 million in food and non-alcoholic beverages, with notable increases in exports to Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovenia and Bulgaria. I am therefore delighted to have been involved in helping companies explore a key market.”
Notes for editors:
- The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) is the voice of the food and drink manufacturing industry – the UK's largest manufacturing sector.
- As part of FDF's ongoing Exports work, this one-off event included insight knowledge of the growing markets, as well speakers from Tesco, food and drink leads in the key countries; distributors/logistics experts plus case studies from companies that are already making exports work for them in the region. Visit our exports webpage for further information.
- Visit our exports stats page
- Statistics information derived from the HMRC Trade Info Statistics
More information
For media enquiries, please contact:
Anna Taylor on 0207 420 7118 Email: Anna.Taylor@fdf.org.uk
Avni Raval or 020 7420 7131 Email: Avni.Raval@fdf.org.uk
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