UK food exports neared £10bn in 2009 after rising for the fifth consecutive year.

Exports of food and non-alcoholic drinks climbed by 4.4% over the previous year to reach a record £9.65bn. However, that marked a slowdown from 2008, when exports, buoyed by the weakness of the pound, soared by 19.8%.

Data from the Food & Drink Federation showed that soft drinks showed the strongest growth, up 20.6%. Seafood grew by 15% to more than £1bn, with salmon exports up 42%.

But dairy fared less well, exports dropping by almost 7% to £776.9m. Cheese exports, one of the big success stories in recent years, were down 0.5%.

Ireland, France and The Netherlands remained the top importers of UK food and drink over the period.

“This is the fifth consecutive year of record exports by the food and drink industry, demonstrating the significant economic value of our sector," said Melanie Leech of the Food & Drink Federation.

"This strong performance is testimony to the persistence and entrepreneurial spirit of British manufacturers, as well as a reflection of the quality of what they produce. I am proud of the fact our sector has continued to report significant overseas success at a time when UK exports as a whole have taken a significant hit.”

Last week the Scotch Whisky Association revealed that exports were up 4% by volume and 3% by value to north of £3.1bn.

Read more
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