UK beer exports up 21%

April 23, 2007: British food and drink exports have broken previous trading records and reached an all time high in 2006, according to figures released by market development consultancy, Food from Britain (FFB).

And one of the key growth areas was beer, up 21% to £402 million.

Finishing the year at £10.5 billion, food and drink exports have increased by 5.8% in the last 12 months alone, exceeding the previous highest level of £10.1 billion achieved a decade ago (1996) prior to BSE export restrictions.

"There are now more opportunities than ever for our food and drink manufacturers overseas, but competition is equally as fierce from exporting heavyweights such as France, Germany and the US," said David McNair, chief executive of Food from Britain. "We need to recognise exporting as a strategic route to long-term growth and benefit from such experience to allow us to compete more effectively both at home and abroad.”