Confidence in UK food and drink exports is returning as half-year sales were up 12 per cent on 2002, according to figures released from FFB.
The total sales for the first six months of the year reached £477 million, improving on 2002 growth of £380m.
The fresh vegetables market has seen an increase of 15 per cent in this six-month period.
David McNair, chief executive of FFB, said: “These are the best half-year figures we have witnessed since the mid-1990s and provide a much needed boost to our food and drink exporters. Looking at these trends we predict that the rapid growth will slow slightly for the second half of 2003 and are realistically looking at ending the full year at just below £10 billion, an increase of around nine per cent.
