UK food and drink trade deficit largest since 2000 at £21bn
Industry leaders call on government to protect homegrown produce in the interest of national security The gap between Britain’s food and drink exports and imports has neared its highest this century, as a combination of Brexit, war in the Middle East and US tariffs dented deliveries overseas while imports soared. The UK’s food and drink trade deficit has risen to more than £21bn – the largest…
The UK's food and drink trade deficit has reached its largest level since 2000, at £21bn, according to industry leaders. This deficit is a result of a combination of factors, including Brexit, the war in the Middle East, and US tariffs. In the first half of 2026, UK food and drink export volumes fell by 11.7%, only marginally above levels during the Covid pandemic and after the 2001 foot-and-mouth disease outbreak.
Exports to the EU fell by 0.9% in value, while exports beyond the EU fell by 6.9%, partly due to disruption in sales to the Middle East. The US's introduction of a 10% import tariff also impacted cross-Atlantic sales by 16.5%. Food and drink imports reached 19.1bn kg in the first half of the year, the second highest ever, with imports from outside the EU up more than 20% since 2023.
Tom Bradshaw, president of the National Farmers' Union, emphasized the need for a long-term plan to support British production and recognize food security as national security. The FDF, which represents hundreds of food and beverage producers, noted that the cost of energy, ingredients, transport, packaging, and labor, along with changing regulations, are increasing pressures on the industry.
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