Exports of branded food and non-alcoholic drinks grew by 0.9% to £4.63bn in 2015, representing the 15th year of consecutive growth, against a backdrop of declining overall UK food and non-alcoholic drink exports, the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) said today.

Overall exports fell by £0.6bn to £12.3bn in 2015 as a result of a drop in oil prices and the strength of the pound against the depreciated Euro, which has made UK exports less competitive in key Eurozone markets.

Chocolate, salmon and cheese remain the top three export product categories, while exports of vegetables, both prepared and fresh, experienced the largest increase in overall growth, up £18m in 2015 to £36.3m.

Non-EU markets now buy 30.8% of the UK's total branded food and non-alcoholic drink exports. The value of exports to non-EU markets was up 6.4% on 2014 figures, with double-digit growth seen in Saudi Arabia, Japan and Australia. Exports of branded food and non-alcoholic drinks to the EU fell by 1.3% in 2015.

Exports to China grew by 9%. This is the first time that the world's most populated nation entered the UK's list of top 10 overseas trade partners. In 2014, the UK was the EU's number one exporter of tea to China, while exports of processed milk to China rose by £19.3m (+202%) in 2015.

Elsewhere, UK breakfast cereal exports to UAE grew by £8.9m (+45%) in 2015 and exports of crisps to France rose by £1.2m (+23%).

In terms of the biggest market growth, the UK saw exports to Thailand increase by £59.3m (+122%), with cereals making up £21.5m of that growth. Exports to Spain grew by £46m (+9%), with high temperatures and a lack of rain in 2015 resulting in Spain becoming more reliant on imports of UK wheat and barley.

Angela Coleshill, Director of Competitiveness at FDF, said:

“Growing exports is a top priority for Britain's makers, bakers and bottlers, who have set an ambition to increase branded exports by a third by 2020. For our industry to meet this stretching target, we need to make sure small and medium-sized food companies in particular are helped to compete in the fiercely competitive global marketplace.”

Ian Wright, Director General, FDF, will be providing evidence on 1 March 2016 to the House of Commons Business, Innovation & Skills (BIS) Committee as part of their current inquiry into Exports and the role of UKTI.

Elsa Fairbanks, Director at FDEA, said:

“The Food and Drink Exporters Association (FDEA) works with many of the UK's most active exporters of food and drink and we are delighted to report that our recent members' survey revealed that behind the export statistics there are numerous examples of optimism and business growth around the world. Buyers continue to be attracted by the quality and innovation of British products. Growth is particularly coming from products where the UK excels - iconic British brands combined with our expertise in health, wellbeing and free-from.”

Ben Clarke, Burton's Biscuits & Co-Chair of UK Food & Drink Export Forum, said:

“It is testament to Britain's 400,000 strong food and drink manufacturing workforce and the strength of Britain's reputation abroad, that branded food and drink exports continue to grow year-on-year. As these figures show, the global appetite for our produce, which enjoys an enviable reputation for quality, safety and innovation, remain high.”