UK food and drink exports were down £2.7bn (-15.9%) in the <a href="https://www.fdf.org.uk/fdf/resources/publications/trade-reports/trade-snapshot-q3-2021/">first three quarters</a> of 2021 compared to pre-pandemic levels, show figures published by the Food & Drink Federation (FDF). This is largely due to a drop in sales to the EU of £2.4bn (-23.7%) resulting from new barriers to trade with the EU and the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Commenting on the data, Scotland Food & Drink CEO James Withers simply said: “this is the price of Brexit".

UK records large and persistent drop in food & drink exports; “the price of Brexit,” says trade body boss