10 UK Export News You Might’ve Missed - Week 25

In this edition of Export News from Expordite, we’ll cover the top 10 UK export news and headlines from week 25 of 2024 — June 17th- 23rd, 2024.

Key News

• UK GOVERNMENT INTRODUCES NEW EXPORT CONTROLS ON METAL 3D PRINTERS
• UK ADVERTISING AND RESEARCH EXPORTS REACH £18BN
• The UK’s Top 10 Most Exported Foods: A Culinary Voyage Across Borders

General Export News

1. 19th century ornithological volumes at risk of leaving the UK

“An export bar has been placed on the 19th century volumes of ‘A history of the birds of Europe’ by H. E. Dresser.

The books have a recommended price of £127,000 and are at risk of leaving the UK unless a domestic buyer can be found to acquire them for the nation.

The decision on the export licence application for the volumes will be deferred for a period ending on 18 September 2024 (inclusive). At the end of the first deferral period owners will have a consideration period of 15 Business Days to consider any offer(s) to purchase the volumes at the recommended price of £127,000. The second deferral period will commence following the signing of an Option Agreement and will last for three months.”

Source: GOV.uk

2. Exquisite table top once owned by Louis XIV at risk of leaving the UK

“An export bar has been placed on a richly adorned table top once owned by Louis XIV, King of France.

The table top, valued at £7,500,000 (plus VAT of £300,000), is at risk of leaving the UK unless a domestic buyer can be found to save it for the nation.

The decision on the export licence application for the table top will be deferred for a period ending on 18 October 2024 inclusive. At the end of the first deferral period owners will have a consideration period of 15 Business Days to consider any offer(s) to purchase the table top at the recommended price of £7,500,000 (plus VAT of £300,000 which can be reclaimed by an eligible institution). The second deferral period will commence following the signing of an Option Agreement and will last for six months.”

Source: GOV.uk

3. Banner commemorating the Slavery Abolition Act is at risk of leaving the UK

“An export bar has been placed on a silk banner commemorating the Slavery Abolition Act 1833.

The banner, valued at £45,000 (plus VAT of £9,000 which can be reclaimed by an eligible institution) is at risk of leaving the UK unless a domestic buyer can be found to acquire it for the nation.

The decision on the export licence application for the banner will be deferred for a period ending on 18 August 2024 (inclusive). At the end of the first deferral period, owners will have a consideration period of 15 Business Days to consider any offer(s) to purchase the banner at the recommended price of £45,000 (plus VAT of £9,000 which can be reclaimed by an eligible institution). The second deferral period will commence following the signing of an Option Agreement and will last for three months.”

Source: GOV.uk

4. UK GOVERNMENT INTRODUCES NEW EXPORT CONTROLS ON METAL 3D PRINTERS

“The UK Government has introduced new export controls on ‘emerging technologies,’ including metal 3D printers, semiconductors, quantum computers, and cryogenic cooling systems.

The new controls restrict shipments of military goods and dual-use technologies which can be used for civilian and military applications.

In relation to additive manufacturing, the restrictions impact metal 3D printers that employ lasers, electron beams or electric arcs. The transfer of software for the use, development or production of these technologies is also prohibited under the new rules.

Implemented by the UK Export Control Joint Unit (ECJU), the regulations came into force on 1 April 2024 under The Export Control (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (ECO 2024). They impact Schedule 3 and Annex 1 of the Export Control Order 2008. “

Source: 3D Printing Industry

5. ‘Guitar exports used to take 48 hours — now it’s three weeks’

“A man who makes high-end guitars says Brexit has meant exporting his instruments has gone from 48 hours to three weeks.

Steve Toon added the process has gone from costing £60 to £240 with his hand-crafted items often turning up late and “trashed”.

“It’s become actually quite difficult to trade. My European sales have dropped off by 50%,” he said.

Courier firms now have to complete complex customs declarations, and pay tariffs on his guitars. Many now refuse his trade altogether.”

Source: BBC News

6. UK ADVERTISING AND RESEARCH EXPORTS REACH £18BN

“Advertising industry think tank Credos analysis for the UK Advertising Exports Group (UKAEG) shows the UK’s ad exports, which include advertising, market research and public opinion polling, have quadrupled in the past decade and grew 15% in 12 months. The analysis is based on data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) International Trade in Services Survey.

The UK leads Europe in terms of advertising industry exports, and is closing in on global leader the US, which is £3bn a year ahead.

The data shows that the UK now exports more advertising than engineering, telecoms, legal, accounting, audio-visual, or architectural services, according to ONS data for the other sectors.”

Source: Research Live

7. What could happen if the UK lost RED II recognition?

“Presently, under the Renewable Energy Directive (RED II), UK-grown wheat is one of many biofuel feedstocks which can be used to supply biofuel into the EU. However, the UK could soon lose its recognition under RED II.

At the turn of the new year (2024), the UK was due to be unable to use domestically produced crops, such as wheat, as a feedstock for biofuels under RED II following the UK’s exit from the EU. However, in December 2023, the European Commission postponed this deadline in response to the feedback it had received regarding the situation. Therefore, currently until 2025, the UK is still eligible to supply wheat as a feedstock for biofuel which is compliant under RED II.

If UK-grown wheat could no longer be used as a biofuel feedstock to access the EU biofuels market under RED II, this will likely weigh on the domestic cereals balance. With such large demand centres taken offline for the domestic market, in typical production years, the UK market would have a larger surplus of grain to export or store. It is also important to note that the wheat supplied is typically of feed wheat quality. Therefore, demand from the UK biofuels sector helps to support the price of domestically produced feed wheat which can be more ample in supply than milling wheat.”

Source: AHDB

8. UK pork imports rise, exports decline — AHDB

“Between January and April of this year, the UK produced 306,400 tonnes of pig meat, according to Defra data. Despite lower slaughter throughputs in 2024, higher average carcase weights have resulted in production volumes growing 0.6% year on year, according to a recent market report from AHDB.

Although overall import volumes have increased to 251,500 tonnes so far this year, the growth has not been reflected across all product categories. Over 99% of UK imports are sourced from within the EU27. Fresh/frozen pork is the largest category, with 106,600 tonnes received from the EU27 for the year to date, up 4% on 2023. Denmark and Germany hold the largest market shares at 25% and 23%, respectively. Strong growth has also been recorded in sausage volume, up 7% on 2023, where Germany (28%) and Poland (18%) account for the largest shipments. Processed pig meat has seen volume decline since 2022, with Germany recording the largest loss in shipments. However, Poland and Ireland maintain their market share at 30% and 24%, respectively. Bacon imports have also been in decline for the last two years, but the largest shipments continue to be sourced from the Netherlands (57%) and Denmark (33%).

Similar to imports, the overall export volume change is not reflected in all product categories. The decline in UK pig meat exports is predominantly driven by a fall in shipments of fresh/frozen pork, although bacon volumes have also weakened year on year. The top four destinations for UK product remain the same year on year (EU27, China, Philippines and the USA), but an increase in shipped volume to South Africa has changed the fifth place, knocking South Korea down to sixth.”

Source: The Pig Site

9. The UK’s Top 10 Most Exported Foods: A Culinary Voyage Across Borders

“The United Kingdom, with its rich culinary history and innovative food industry, is a significant player in the global food export market. From traditional products with centuries-old heritage to contemporary innovations, the UK’s food exports are diverse and widely appreciated. Here, we explore the ten most exported foods from the UK, each representing a unique aspect of British gastronomy.”

Source: ISN Magazine

10. Scottish salmon exports leap to five-year high

“Scottish salmon exports have risen to £645m — the highest level in five years.

New HM Revenue and Customs data analysed by trade body Salmon Scotland showed that in the first four months of 2024 alone, the value of exports soared by £65m to £250m — a 36% increase on the same period last year.

This was accompanied by a 35% increase in the volume of fish transported.”

Source: insider.co.uk