Leadsom Outlines Food and Drink Export Strategy

Speaking at the Food and Drink Exporters Association’s (FDEA) annual Network Forum on Wednesday, Leadsom addressed 120 people from food businesses across the country.

There were speeches from successful exporters, offering insight on how the industry will be affected by Brexit and how the government’s International Action Plan for Food and Drink will support producers and suppliers. The plan was launched by Andrea Leadsom in October and will hope to serve as a fundamental export strategy for the industry. The government has pledged that over the next five years it will support exporters to sell more overseas through business support and training. Leadsom has highlighted China as a key market for UK exporters.

Andrea Leadsom said, “With £10bn of British food and drink sold around the world in the first half of this year, there can be no doubt we are open for business. The demand is out there and I want us all to make the most of the opportunities that lie ahead. That is why, backed by industry, I recently launched our ambitious export action plan to bring billions more into the UK economy and help our businesses reach even more international markets.”

Speaking at the event, Jim Walker of Walkers Shortbread, a company which exports to over 100 countries, welcomed the action plan. He also noted how important it is for the industry to continue to have access to European markets post-Brexit, ideally through the single market. Another issue highlighted by Walker was the importance of continued access to a supply of skilled labour that forms the backbone of the food industry workforce in the UK.

Elsa Fairbanks from the FDEA said, “Today’s industry forum has achieved its aim of providing a platform for the food and drink exporting community to share important issues that have come to light following the vote for Brexit, and to discuss the plans for the industry’s future with Mrs Leadsom herself.

“Our focus now is to continue to work with the government to provide a strong exporting platform, while encouraging and supporting exporters in building strong relationships with existing and potential customers and to explore new markets around the world.”