UK chocolate export sales to EU suffer major drop amid Brexit and pandemic challenges

A significant drop in UK chocolate confectionery exports to the EU of 18.5% in the first half of 2021 compared to the same period in 2019, has been recorded, impacted by continued Brexit trading complexities and the coronavirus pandemic, according to Food and Drink Federation (FDF), analysis, reports Neill Barston. The British-based trade organisation’s latest analysis revealed sales to the continent within the category now stood at £217.9 million for the first six months of this year, as the majority of other food segments also saw notable losses including cheese (down 34%), milk and cream (down 19%) and beef (down 37%). While there was an uplift in sales to non EU markets, which were up 13% in first half of the year (to £4.3 billion) including growth in China, Singapore, Australia and the Gulf region, this did not make up for the major losses to the UK’s nearest neighbours on the continent. Consequently, Britain’s overall global food and drink exports reduced 4.5% in the first ...