Exports will be worth approximately £150,000 a year, according to Defra estimates
British beetroot will enter the US market for the first time following campaigning by the NFU.
The breakthrough follows a US visit by a delegation of NFU and government representatives to promote UK agriculture.
During the trip, NFU president Tom Bradshaw and NFU horticulture and potatoes board vice chair Stephen Shields visited a UK business in New York State that processes and sells beetroot.
According to the NFU, local supply wasn’t keeping up with demand in the US so the delegation made the case to officials in Washington DC that importing products from England could boost sales and benefit both UK and US growers.
Defra estimates that the new market access will be worth approximately £150,000 a year in increased exports.
It follows extensive NFU lobbying and is part of the union’s ambition to grow UK agri-food exports by 30 per cent to £33 billion by 2030.
Bradshaw said: “It is great news that after many years of campaigning, British beetroot growers will have access to the market in the US for the first time.
“Being able to access the US market, supplementing local production, will help to meet rising consumer demand for this healthy, nutritional crop, creating genuine growth opportunities for farmers and growers in the UK.
“It shows the type of wins we’re able to achieve with the UK’s expanded network of agriculture attachés following a number of years of campaigning by the NFU for the creation of these positions.
“Long may the collaboration continue so British farmers and growers can expand into further markets and increase sales of great British food overseas.”
NFU horticulture and potatoes board vice chair, Stephen Shields, added: “As a grower, I am excited about the historic opportunity for UK beetroot to be exported to the US for the first time.
“It also shows just how important the trade visits the NFU conducts are and the opportunities they can deliver for businesses on the ground.”
He continued: “This milestone not only enhances our market presence but also aligns with our ambition to grow the UK horticulture sector.
“By meeting the increasing demand for high-quality British produce, we can drive innovation and investment in our industry, benefiting growers and consumers alike.”
