Brexit cuts UK food and drinks exports to EU by almost half

UK exports of food and drink to the EU dropped by almost half in the first three months of 2021 from a year earlier in what trade groups said was a measure of the impact of post-Brexit trade barriers. Produce to the value of £1.7 billion (€1.98bn) was exported to European countries in the first quarter of the year, down 46.6 per cent from 2020, according to the Food and Drink Federation, an industry body. The decline from 2019, when exports were unaffected by the pandemic, was even greater – a drop of 55.1 per cent or £2 billion. Dominic Goudie, head of international trade at the federation, said: “The loss of £2 billion of exports to the EU is a disaster for our industry, and is a very clear indication of the scale of losses that UK manufacturers face in the longer term due to new trade barriers with the EU.” Companies are struggling with the costs, paperwork and delays resulting from new customs and veterinary checks, while smaller businesses have suffered from recent barriers ...