UK trade attachés unlock £100m export boost for British food and drink producers

The UK’s network of agri-food attachés has unlocked almost £100 million in new export opportunities for British food and drink producers, driving growth by removing 41 trade barriers this year.

Since January, the 16 attachés have opened new global markets for British producers, including the reopening of pork exports to China worth up to £80 million, securing access to Vietnam’s live seafood market valued at £4 million a year, and unlocking £35 million in annual dairy exports to Egypt. The UK also secured a £3.8 million annual pork export deal with Mexico in August. (All figures are based on industry estimates.)

The attaché scheme, established to extend the UK’s global food and drink reach, has played a key role in boosting the nation’s largest manufacturing industry, worth £37 billion and employing nearly half a million people. Previous successes include opening the US market to British beetroot growers in September 2024, a first in UK history.

The attachés’ work supports British businesses across all four nations by showcasing the quality, safety, standards and provenance of UK food and drink abroad.

Recently appointed Minister for Food Security Dame Angela Eagle hailed the attachés’ achievements: “Every trade barrier we remove is another door opened for British farmers and food producers to sell their world-leading products. From our beef to our baked goods, British food and drink is highly sought after in markets worldwide and, thanks to the dedicated work of our trade attachés, we’re helping our producers grow their businesses and the economy.”

She added that the latest boost “shows what can be achieved when government works hand-in-hand with our food and farming sectors to champion British products across the globe.”

Identifying new opportunities

The attachés, stationed in key export markets worldwide, are returning to the UK from 3–7 November to meet with producers whose interests they represent overseas. Their itinerary includes visits to Yorkshire’s food innovators and the UK’s biggest alcohol exporters. These meetings aim to strengthen relationships, share insights into overseas market trends, and identify new export opportunities.

Jonathan Eckley, International Trade Development Director at the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), said: “Ensuring we have a broad portfolio of markets for our world-class red meat and dairy produce is essential to maximise opportunities around the world and we will continue to work with the agri-attachés, wider government and industry to help ensure those products thrive in the global market.”

He added that “the collaborative approach between AHDB, industry and government in securing market access and supporting export development delivers tangible results for our red meat and dairy sectors.”

With global demand for premium British produce rising, the attachés’ continued focus on removing barriers and opening new markets will be crucial to sustaining growth in UK food and drink exports.