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News
UK gin and whisky exports drop in H1
Gin and whisky exports from the UK declined by double digits in the first half of 2023, according to the Food & Drink Federation (FDF).
New figures from the FDF showed that whisky decreased by 19.7% in volume and by 2.7% in value to £2.7 billion (US$3.3bn) from January to June 2023.
Gin exports dropped by 12.4% in volume and by 9.6% in value to £305.3 million (US$378.1m) over the same period.
It followed a strong performance for gin in 2022 when exports bounced back by more than a third to surpass pre-pandemic levels, according to HMRC figures.
The value of food and drink exports from the UK rose by 7.6% to reach £11.9bn (US$14.7bn) in the first half of 2023, led by the EU, the FDF noted.
Dominic Goudie, FDF head of international trade, said: “Trade in UK food and drink is beginning to stabilise after the challenges of Brexit, a global pandemic and global weather events in recent years, that led to significant supply chain disruption, surging energy prices and volatile ingredient costs.
“The growth we have seen in the first half of the year demonstrates our industry’s resilience and future growth potential.”
Exports to China were up by nearly a quarter over the six-month period, driven by whisky (up by 37.6%), as well as salmon, protein concentrates and cheese.
Whisky exports to Turkey grew by 14.6% in volume and rose by 26.5% in value to £60.8m (US$75.2m).
The FDF said high global food and drink price inflation continues to impact export values, with sales volumes down for most of the UK’s top 10 export products. The only category that saw a volume increase was milk and cheese, while soft drinks were stagnant.
Goudie added: “While there are clear signs of recovery, as we start to see food and drink price inflation continue to fall, we need the government to work with the industry to help us stem the decline in the volumes of exports to the EU and further afield.
“We urge the government to take note of our Trade and Investment Strategy, which details how ministers can put food and drink at the heart of global Britain’s new independent trade policy.”
Scotch exports fell by 20% in volume during the first half of 2023, figures from the Scotch Whisky Association revealed.