10 UK Export News You Might’ve Missed - Week 15
(Also published on LinkedIn)
In this edition of Export News from Expordite, we’ll cover top 10 UK export news and headlines from week 15 of 2023 — April 10–16, 2023.
But first, we have an exciting product update for those of you moving to the UK!
You can read about it on our website or watch the video below:
And here are the 10 UK Export news from last week:
General Export News:
1.UK Export Finance to strengthen exporter opportunities in Brazil with local expertise
“UK Export Finance (UKEF) has appointed a new International Export Finance Executive (IEFE) to promote trade opportunities with the UK. The IEFE, based at the British Consulate in São Paulo, will ensure continued support for trade links between the UK and Brazil, working closely with major UK government departments to showcase the expertise, capability and profile of UK businesses.
With £4 billion of funding already on offer to help Brazilian buyers, provided they source at least in part from the UK, the IEFE will work to facilitate major financing deals for local businesses who seek to build relationships with UK exporters.”
Source: GOV.uk
2. UK exports fall in February as economy flatlines
“A fall in exports of fuels to the EU was mainly behind a 3.5% decline in the value of goods exports in February, freshly released data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows.
Exports to the EU were down by £1bn (6.2%), with £0.9bn of this fall due to decreased crude oil exports to the Netherlands and France.
Exports of machinery and transport equipment also decreased by £100m in February, with non-EU exports down slightly by £100m (0.7%).”
Source: The Institute of Export & International Trade
3. Free support worth £1,800 for export businesses through LLEP pilot with Santander
“The LLEP Business Gateway Growth Hub has joined forces with Santander to offer an exclusive package of products to local export businesses.
Exporters in Leicester and Leicestershire will gain free access to Santander Navigator, a digital portal which supports the needs of export businesses, from startups through to seasoned exporters managing complex shipments.”
Source: East Midlands Business Link
4. UPCOMING CHANGES AFFECTING XI EORI HOLDERS
“Businesses moving goods into or out of Northern Ireland need an Economic Operator’s Registration Identification (EORI) number starting with XI (the “XI EORI”). In order to qualify for an XI EORI, businesses need a permanent business establishment in Northern Ireland.
If a business does not have a permanent business establishment in Northern Ireland, they can still move goods into Northern Ireland or the EU as long as they are using an ‘indirect representative’ who meets the criteria. For movements into Northern Ireland, businesses registered with the Trader Support Service (TSS) can continue to use the service to act on their behalf. More information on the service provided by TSS and how to register can be found at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/trader-support-service“
Source: British International Freight Association — BIFA
5. UK’s goods exports lowest in G7 following Brexit, study finds
“ Britain’s goods exports are lagging all other G7 economies, according to an analysis by the Financial Times, which trade experts said provided more evidence of the impact of Brexit.
Quarterly figures published by the Office for National Statistics in March showed that in the last three months of 2022, UK export volumes, excluding precious metals, were more than 9 per cent below the 2019 pre-pandemic average.”
Source: FT
Food Export News
6. UK barley exports into the EU holding firm pace: Grain market daily
“Yesterday, HMRC published the latest UK trade data figures, with an update for grain imports and exports up to the end of February. As is well known, due to a large surplus of domestic feed wheat this season, the pace of wheat exports has been strong over the past few months. Data up to the end of February shows wheat exports at 927.1Kt so far this season (July to February), up more than three times from the same point last year. Though it’s important to remember, large ending stocks are still forecast this season with large availability and lacklustre domestic demand.
It has also been well reported that oat exports have been up this season. In yesterday’s figures, up to the end of February, UK oat exports totalled 128.7Kt, also up more than three times on the season.”
Source: AHDB
7. UK cheese to be showcased at Singapore Exhibition
“This month, the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) will showcase UK cheese at Food and Hotel Asia (FHA) in Singapore.
The event will be held from April 25–28, 2023, at the Singapore Expo Convention and Exhibition Centre.
AHDB said Singapore is a key target market for UK exporters, with dairy shipments reaching 2,589t in 2022. Cheese exports to Singapore increased in value to more than £3 million, with 552t exported last year.”
Source: Agriland
8. UK farmers are still burning toxic plastics on agricultural land despite it being illegal.
“The illegal disposing of agricultural plastics is also fuelled by criminality in the notorious UK waste sector. Exporters have been able to profit from exporting agricultural plastics abroad, both legally and illegally, and this includes illegally misdeclaring it as plastic packaging, for which they can claim back money from producers of packaging as part of the UK’s packaging extended producer responsibility scheme.
EIA identified one Bournemouth-based company — Orange Recycling Ltd — which had its accreditation as an exporter of plastic packaging waste cancelled by the Environment Agency in 2020 after it was found to have misdeclared silage wrap as plastic packaging waste. Despite this, the company still managed to retain its licence as a waste carrier and broker.”
Source: Environmental Investigation Agency
9. Somerdale International debuts new range of premium cheese for the Asia Pacific market
“Somerdale International, the leading exporter of British premium cheese to over 50 countries around the globe, is to launch a new luxurious range of blended and infused Westminster-branded cheddars at FHA Food & Beverage.
The event taking place at the Singapore Expo between 25–28 April, is expected to attract more than 40,000 trade visitors from across the Asia Pacific region and will provide a major opportunity for Somerdale to showcase not only its new range but also ‘fly the flag’ for the very best in British dairy products in what is a fast-growing export market for the Somerset based business. “
Source: Asia Food Journal
Art Exports News
10. UK imposes export bar on painting of Indian soldiers during WWI
“A portrait by Anglo-Hungarian painter Philip de Laszlo of two Indian soldiers who fought in World War I was placed under a temporary export bar by the British government to allow time for a UK institution to acquire the “wonderful and sensitive” work to prevent it from leaving the country.
The UK government’s decision to impose an export bar follows the advice of the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest (RCEWA).
The committee made its recommendation based on the criterion for its outstanding significance to the study of the Indian contribution to the war effort and the individuals involved.”
Source: East Mojo
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