10 UK Export News You Might’ve Missed – Week 7
In this edition of Export News from Expordite, we’ll cover the top 10 UK export news and headlines from week 7 of 2024 – February 12th-18th, 2024.
Key News:
Export News:
1. UK trade: December 2023
“Total imports of goods in “current prices”, which are not adjusted for inflation (explained in Section 10: Glossary), decreased by £2.6 billion (5.4%) in December 2023. Imports from non-EU countries fell by £1.5 billion (7.4%), and imports from the EU fell by £1.0 billion (3.9%) (Table 1 and Figure 1).
Total exports of goods decreased by £0.7 billion (2.2%) in December 2023, because of a £0.7 billion (4.5%) fall in exports to the EU while exports to non-EU countries remained stable.“
Source: ONS
2. UK signs landmark economic partnership with Nigeria
“The UK will today [Tuesday 13 February] sign a partnership with Nigeria to boost trade and investment and unlock new opportunities for UK and Nigerian businesses.
The Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership (ETIP) is the first the UK has signed with an African country and is designed to grow the UK and Nigeria’s already thriving trading relationship, which totalled £7 billion in the year to September 2023.“
Source: GOV.uk
3. Brexit red tape puts Valentine’s Day thorn in UK flower trade
“Giraffe Flowers in Manchester, northern England, is preparing for the annual Valentine’s Day rush but florists fear that Brexit trade barriers will increasingly spell higher costs and delays for their business.
Today Giraffe sells a bouquet of red roses for 40 pounds ($50.5), but by next year it expects that will cost 50 pounds – because of the phased introduction of post-Brexit customs changes on goods coming from Europe, which have already begun.
Since Jan. 31, traders of some animal and plant products, such as chilled and frozen meat, eggs, cheese and certain cut flowers, have been required to present Export Health Certificates (EHCs) to British authorities.
The regulatory burden is set to increase further. Physical checks will start on April 30 followed by a requirement for safety and security certificates from Oct. 31.“
Source: Yahoo Finance
4. CPC: UK not interested in free, fair trade in agricultural products
“The Canadian Pork Council is joining the “Say No to a Bad Deal” coalition, advocating for renegotiations of the United Kingdom’s ascension to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.
This move comes in response to Great Britain’s stance toward Canada, a signal to Canadian farmers, ranchers and producers that the United Kingdom is not interested in free and fair trade in agricultural products.
Say No to a Bad Deal is a coalition of agriculture industry leaders and stakeholders advocating for fair and equitable trade agreements that benefit everyone. With Great Britain showing no signs of altering its approach to trade negotiations, the council aims to remind the Government of Canada of its responsibility to prioritize the best interests of Canadian farmers and ranchers.“
Source: National Hog Farmer
5. Scottish salmon named UK’s top food export for 2023
“SCOTTISH salmon has been revealed as the UK’s top food export in 2023, in the latest annual HM Revenue and Customs figures.
Sales of salmon increased by 0.5% to £581 million as Scotch whisky exports topped £5.6 billion.
US and Asian markets saw a sharp growth in demand, and France once again led global orders.
The UK’s second largest food export, Cheddar cheese, as well as beef and lamb, were far lower than salmon figures.“
Source: The National
6. Help us to help the economy, salmon farmers tell politicians
“Scotland’s salmon farmers have put forward a wish-list of changes they want politicians at Westminster and Holyrood to make to help the sector thrive.
Scottish salmon was the UK’s most valuable food export last year, but trade body Salmon Scotland said the sector is facing several business challenges.
The increased red tape following Brexit continues to add costs and delays for Scottish salmon farmers, while the UK’s recession has dampened the economic environment.”
Source: Fish Farming Expert
7. Dover farmers launch tractor demo against ‘unfair’ prices
“Farmers protesting against cheap imports have parked their tractors in a supermarket car park in Dover.
About 30 tractors went to Tesco Extra in Whitfield to protest against what they say is the “unfair” treatment of British farmers.
The protests follow demos by farmers across Europe who are campaigning against European Union farming policies amid concerns over unfair competition and cost hikes.“
Source: BBC News
8. PGI Welsh lamb to appear at Dubai food and drink event
“Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat promotion Wales (HCC) is taking PGI Welsh lamb to the Dubai food and drink event Gulfood.
HCC’s trade team will be joined by Welsh exporters to showcase Welsh lamb at the event, which takes place between February 19-23, 2024, at the Dubai World Trade Centre.
The middle eastern market is an important, growing export market for the Welsh red meat sector with Welsh lamb exports growing in volume and value in recent years, HCC said.“
Source: Agriland
9. UK shoppers could face tea shortages due to trade route disruptions
“Shoppers in Britain could face shortages of tea supplies in some stores due to disruption on trade routes and delays.
It is understood that the disruption is linked to Houthi attacks on vessels in the Red Sea, as well as supply and demand delays with one supermarket tea supplier.
Andrew Opie, director of food and sustainability at the British Retail Consortium, said: “There is temporary disruption to some black tea lines, but the impact on consumers will be minimal as retailers are not expecting significant challenges.“
Source: The Guardian
10. Tim Atkin MW: The UK trade doesn’t take Rioja seriously enough
“Rarely does a trade tasting generate this level of excitement, but, Tim Atkin MW’s Best of Rioja trade and consumer tasting was teeming with life in Westminster this week. By Atkin’s admission, never has such a collection of wines been assembled in the UK from Spain’s flagship region.
Almost all of Rioja’s top bodegas were on show, indicating a welcome sense of camaraderie among the producers of the DOCa. The wines, which were personally selected by Atkin, were made up of first and second growths from Atkin’s annual Rioja report, plus a few rising stars for good measure.”
Source: Harper
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