Exports up despite foot-and-mouth

8 August 2001



Exports up despite foot-and-mouth

By FWi staff

FOOD and drink exports increased by 5% in the first three months of the year despite the early effects of the foot-and-mouth crisis, according to new figures.

Cereals and sugar are among sectors which help achieve the increase over the same period last year, says export marketing consultants Food From Britain.

Food and drink exports were worth 2.05 billion between January and the end of March 2001, compared to 1.96bn for the same period in 2000.

This was achieved despite the loss of red-meat exports due to foot-and-mouth restrictions imposed in February.

It remains to be seen whether the UK food industry, which has been losing an estimated 50m since the virus broke out, can sustain these export increases.

But Food From Britain believes these results bode well for British companies seeking new international opportunities.

Eighty British companies will be trying to attract new international business at the forthcoming ANUGA global fair in Cologne in October, it said.

• British food exports down, FWi, 02 May, 2000
• Food and drink shines in face of beef ban, FARMERS WEEKLY, 07 November, 1997