10 UK Export News You Might’ve Missed – Week 39
In this edition of Export News from Expordite, we’ll cover the top 10 UK export news and headlines from week 39 of 2024 — September 23rd-29th, 2024.
Key News
General Export News
1. TRA investigates imports of tin mill products from China
“The Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) has initiated a new investigation into tin mill products imported to the UK from China. This follows an application from Tata Steel UK asking for an anti-dumping measure to be imposed.
The applicant, Tata, has alleged that imports of tin mill products from China are being dumped into the UK, and that these dumped imports are causing injury to the UK industry.“
Source: GOV.uk
2. UK constrains Russia’s future Liquified Natural Gas plans
“The UK has today, 26 September, taken decisive action to sanction 5 vessels and 2 associated entities involved in the shipping of Russian LNG, including from Russia’s flagship Arctic LNG 2 project.
Earlier this year, the UK sanctioned Arctic LNG 2, alongside our allies in the US and EU. Since then, the project has been forced to slash production. Today’s action builds on this by targeting ships and entities involved in the Russian LNG sector, which engage with projects important to Russia’s future energy production.“
Source: GOV.uk
3. £1bn investment secures over 300 jobs in North Wales
“A major investment of over £1 billion in the redevelopment of Shotton Mill in Deeside, North Wales, will safeguard 147 jobs and create a further 220 when fully commissioned, the UK and Welsh governments have confirmed today [Thursday 26 September].
The Welsh Government has provided nearly £13 million in funding alongside £136 million in support from UK Export Finance (UKEF), the UK government’s export credit agency.
The Eren investment is expected to boost Welsh and UK exports in paper, with UKEF support offered on the understanding that Shotton Mill will export 10% of its turnover within 5 years. This is also expected to reduce UK reliance on imports of paper.“
Source: GOV.uk
4. British beetroot growers to put down roots in US market
“The government has delivered a significant early victory for British farmers, securing access to the US market for UK beetroot growers.
Following extensive talks between the two Governments and trade representatives, this will open new opportunities for British farmers by increasing export opportunities and raising the profile of British beetroot in international markets – and is a springboard to grow the economy and expand UK trade relationships post-Brexit.
Industry estimates this new access will be worth approximately £150,000 per year in increased exports, with groups such as the NFU recently voicing their desire for the barrier to be resolved to allow British producers to benefit from the enormous potential of the US market, building on the recent successes of UK lamb in the US. “
Source: GOV.uk
5. New UK-Kenya investment partnership rings in UK trade visit
“Tuesday 24, September – The Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) and UK government programme MOBILIST, have announced a new partnership at a launch event in Nairobi. The launch was attended by His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for Africa, John Humphrey, at the start of a three-day visit to Kenya.
Trade Commissioner Humphrey’s visit to Kenya, which comes after recent trips to Egypt and Ethiopia, will focus on delivering long-term investment projects that support the UK-Kenya Strategic Partnership – an ambitious five-year agreement that is unlocking mutual economic benefits for the UK and Kenya, without loading Kenya with unsustainable debt.
Mr Humphrey will also visit Naivasha to meet one of Kenya’s biggest exporters of cut flowers, Flamingo Flowers – a British business that employs 11,000 people in Kenya. They are benefitting from the global suspension of the 8% export tariff for cut flowers entering the UK, an example of the UK supporting markets that matter to Kenya, by removing barriers in areas which aim to have an immediate economic impact.“
Source: GOV.uk
6. Shein is allowed to ‘dodge tax’ on UK imports, says Superdry chief
“Fast fashion giant Shein is being allowed to “dodge tax” because of an exemption on import duties on low-value parcels, according to the boss of one of its UK rivals.
Julian Dunkerton, chief executive of Superdry, told the BBC that the exemption is a tax “loophole” and that Shein is getting an unfair advantage.
Shipment parcels sent directly to UK customers that are worth less than £135 do not face import tax.“
Source: Independent
7. Pat McFadden says government departments will ‘take seriously’ issue of British luxury cars being brought to Russia
“A senior minister has said UK government departments responsible for implementing sanctions will take seriously Sky News reports showing new British luxury cars being moved across the border into Russia.
UK companies can no longer sell directly to Russia due to sanctions applied in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
But people in Russia have found a way to import goods and avoid sanctions.
Sky News has seen brand new Jaguar Land Rover cars made in Solihull this year being driven from Georgia and across the Russian border.
Senior cabinet minister Pat McFadden said it’s “really important” sanctions are “properly applied”.
Source: Sky News
8. UK Export Finance helps Northern Ireland recycling firm meet demand from Saudi market
“A recycling business from County Tyrone has secured multimillion-pound contracts to export recycling machinery to Saudi Arabia with the support of UK government department UK Export Finance.
Kiverco is a family-owned business which designs and delivers recycling plants that process, separate and recover waste in a range of sectors. Its UK-designed technology helps clients deal more sustainably with construction waste, dry mixed recyclables, municipal solid waste and much more.
A £350k export insurance package from UK Export Finance means that they can now deliver major new contracts in Saudi Arabia, boosting revenue and supporting 100 local jobs. With over 300 recycling plants in the UK and over 400 sites globally – across Europe, the US, Australia, New Zealand, and Middle East – Kiverco has seen high demand from the waste sector in Saudi Arabia.”
Source: Hub 4
9. UK food & drink exports decline as demands made to strengthen EU trade
“Food and drink export values in the UK have fallen 6.1% to £11.2bn in the first six months of 2024, according to the Food and Drink Federation’s (FDF) Trade Snapshot for H1 2024. The decline was driven by a fall in alcohol exports, with food and soft drink exports remaining steady.
Ireland remains the UK’s largest single export market, rising 1.1% to £2.0bn. However, overall exports to the EU, the UK’s biggest trading partner, have fallen by a quarter (23.6%) in volume terms compared to H1 2023, while exports to the rest of the world are up 0.8%.
FDF research highlights the importance of the EU, which receives 59.4% of all food and drink exports, with more than half (59%) of manufacturers saying that the relationship with the EU should be a top priority for the new government.
Trade with the EU is getting more challenging for British food and drink businesses with growing bureaucracy as additional checks come into force. This includes the second phase of border changes introduced in April raising fees for businesses; an increase in Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) check rates for meat, milk, and fish products from September; and further implementation of border controls applying to fresh produce from 1 July 2025.”
Source: Food and Drink International
10. Export returns boost for Welsh red meat
“The value of Welsh red meat exports has risen substantially with Welsh Beef enjoying a 14 per cent rise and Welsh Lamb six per cent year on year, according to Hybu Cig Cymru-Meat Promotion Wales’ (HCC) analysts.
Some 9,000 tonnes of beef were exported in the first six months of the year, estimated to be 14 per cent higher than January-June 2023 and the value of these shipments has also risen by 16 per cent. The value of sheep meat exports has increased by six per cent, driven by stronger farmgate prices as domestic supply constraints have led to tighter export volumes of fresh and frozen sheep meat at 12,000 tonnes, a ten per cent decrease.“
Source: Brecon & Radnor Express
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