Drive to increase British exports
The Food and Drink Federation’s director general Melanie Leech has spoken alongside trade minister Lord Green at the launch of GREAT Weeks campaign, part of UK Trade and Investment’s (UKTI) Olympic legacy strategy to boost demand for UK exports.
Food and drink is one of a handful of priority sectors that will benefit from the combined promotional efforts and collective resources of UKTI, Visit Britain, the British Council and the Foreign Office.
Melanie Leech, director general at Food and Drink Federation, said: “Food and drink exports to Asia have increased by three-quarters in the last five years and more than doubled to China where British products are popular with the young and wealthy. The Middle East has a growing appetite for British food and drink and over the same period we’ve seen growth of over 50% seen led by strong demand from the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia where urban development has fueled growth in their food retail and hospitality sectors.
“We know that our capacity to grow through exports is considerable. Only 10% of SMEs in our sector are export active and research this year indicates many UK food and drink businesses export ‘reactively’, responding and despatching orders to enquiries from overseas. The GREAT weeks campaign alongside our refreshed Export Action Plan developed jointly by FDF, UKTI and Defra will help us to drive the required change and realise our full export potential.”
Lord Green trade and investment minister said: “Increasing the number of UK businesses who sell overseas is a fundamental building block of the government’s plan for growth. Worldwide there is a growing appetite and appreciation for British goods and services and awareness of Brand GB remains very high following the success of London 2012 and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.
“The GREAT Weeks series is designed to capitalise on this by using UKTI’s global network to put companies in front of potential customers in fast growing markets. The campaign will provide a powerful platform for the retail, luxury, food, drink and creative industries to showcase their value in new markets and assist them to grow their businesses.”