Tasty increase for Yorkshire’s export market

Exports of Yorkshire and the Humber food and drink increased to £970m in the year to March 2018, an increase of 13% compared to the previous 12 months, latest HMRC figures show.

The most popular products from the region overseas were meat (19% increase to £161m), dairy products and eggs (28% increase to £75m), and beverages (14% increase to £57m).

The statistics also show that more firms in the region are targeting the Middle East, with 33% more food and drink exported to the UAE during the period, when compared to the previous twelve months.

There was also a marked increase in appetite for Yorkshire produce from North America, with local businesses growing exports to Canada and the US by 7% and 6% respectively.

Exports to Japan grew by 6%, a market considered to be a growing opportunity for UK food and drink businesses.

One Yorkshire and the Humber business that has benefited from exporting is Eurostar Commodities from Linthwaite, Huddersfield. The business supplies ingredients such as flour and grains to wholesalers and food manufacturers across the globe.

Government trade advisers supported the company on a trade mission to Iceland, where it secured contracts that have resulted in it now supplying 95% of all sushi rice to country.

Mark Robson, head of regions, Yorkshire and the Humber at the Department for International Trade, said: “Many Yorkshire food and drink firms, from breweries to cheesemongers and crisp makers to ice cream producers, are already benefiting from a growing overseas appetite for local produce.

“Businesses are successful in taking the leap into exporting when they have well-considered business plans, when they take advantage of government initiatives to help them develop relationships with buyers in new markets, and when they have a good understanding of the tariffs, regulations and logistics of their new market.”