Total exports of fruit and vegetables from the UK grew by 22.9 per cent last year to £729.3m (€856.8m), making it one of the best performing sectors in the country's food industry last year, according to new research published by Leatherhead Food International on behalf of the UK Food and Drink Federation.
While the strengthening of the euro against the pound has made trading conditions more difficult for UK fresh fruit and vegetable importers, British producers have seen their products become cheaper for foreign buyers, something which has evidently contributed to a rise in export sales.
Among the leading destinations for British fresh produce in terms of sales were Ireland, up 2.0 per cent to £203.3m (€238.8m), followed by the Netherlands, up 28.5 per cent to £84.0m (€98.7m) and Germany, up 69.2 per cent to £64.4m (€75.7m).
Potato exports fell 2.9 per cent to £79.7m (€93.6m), with a 8.2 per cent decrease in sendings to Ireland off-set by a 25.7 per cent rise in exports to Spain and a 72.7 per cent rise in sales to Egypt. Combined, these markets accounting for 67.2 per cent of all UK potato exports in 2008.
Meanwhile, frozen vegetable export sales were up 31.8 per cent to £48.1m (€56.5m), led by Ireland – rising 23.4 per cent to £15.6m (€18.3m) – and Italy, up 184.5 per cent to £13.3m (€15.6m).
Overseas sales of dried leguminous vegetables, such as peas, broad beans, other beans and lentils grew by 41.6 per cent to £62.2m (€73.1m), driven by 44 per cent growth in Egypt and 44.5 per cent growth in Italy.
Fruit and nut exports at £135.1m (€158.7m) were up 5.7 per cent (including 18.6 per cent growth to Germany and 75.9 per cent growth to Spain).
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