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British food and drink exports grow by 4.9 per cent  

GROWTH in British food and drink exports driven by demand from non-EU markets such as the US and Japan confirm 2019 as a major year for the industry, latest data showed.

Data released by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, (HMRC), show the UK exported nearly £24 billion worth of food and drink, up by 4.9 per cent on the previous year.


The US was one of the UK’s largest export market for food and drink last year, worth £2.4bn and up by eight per cent in 2019.

Demand from Japan is also on the rise, with UK food and drink exports growing 14.1 per cent to £311.5 million.

Liz Truss, secretary of state for international trade, said: “These latest figures show the ever-increasing demand across the globe for high-quality British food and drink.

“Our food and drink industry will play a crucial role as we look to deepen trade and investment relationships with like-minded partners, such as the US and Japan.

“Our new free trade agreements seek to secure benefits for every region and nation of the UK, for small businesses and entrepreneurs and for every industry.”

This year Britain will negotiate new free trade agreements (FTAs) across the globe, including with the US, to help UK businesses to trade with and invest in expanding markets.

As part of the British government’s ongoing food is great campaign, the government and British industry are aiming to boost UK trade in food and drink exports and will continue to work with exporters to help them break into new markets.

British food and drink exports grow by 4.9 per cent

GROWTH in British food and drink exports driven by demand from non-EU markets such as the USA and Japan confirm 2019 as a major year for the industry, latest data showed.

Data released by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, (HMRC), show the UK exported nearly £24 billion worth of food and drink, up by 4.9 per cent on the previous year.

The US was one of the UK’s largest export market for food and drink last year, worth £2.4bn and up by eight per cent in 2019.

Demand from Japan is also on the rise, with UK food and drink exports growing 14.1 per cent to £311.5 million.

Liz Truss, secretary of state for international trade, said: “These latest figures show the ever-increasing demand across the globe for high quality British food and drink.

“Our food and drink industry will play a crucial role as we look to deepen trade and investment relationships with like-minded partners, such as the US and Japan.

“Our new free trade agreements seek to secure benefits for every region and nation of the UK, for small businesses and entrepreneurs and for every industry.”

This year Britain will negotiate new free trade agreements (FTAs) across the globe, including with the US, to help UK businesses to trade with and invest in expanding markets.

As part of the British government’s ongoing food is great campaign, the government and British industry are aiming to boost UK trade in food and drink exports and will continue to work with exporters to help them break into new markets.

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Highlights

  • Government expected to give London powers to bring in a tourist levy on overnight stays.
  • GLA study says a £1 fee could raise £91m, a 5 per cent charge could generate £240m annually.
  • Research suggests London would not see a major fall in visitor numbers if levy introduced.
The mayor of London has welcomed reports that he will soon be allowed to introduce a tourist levy on overnight visitors, with new analysis outlining how a charge could work in the capital.
Early estimates suggest a London levy could raise as much as £240 m every year. The capital recorded 89 m overnight stays in 2024.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to give Sadiq Khan and other English city leaders the power to impose such a levy through the upcoming English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill. London currently cannot set its own tourist tax, making England the only G7 nation where national government blocks local authorities from doing so.

A spokesperson for the mayor said City Hall supported the idea in principle, adding “The Mayor has been clear that a modest tourist levy, similar to other international cities, would boost our economy, deliver growth and help cement London’s reputation as a global tourism and business destination.”

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