Wales has seen its food and drink export sales bounce back from the pandemic.
Its sales for 2021 exceed pre-Covid levels - the only nation in the UK to achieve this according to new research by the Food and Drink Federation (FDF).
In 2021, exports were worth £558m, 13% higher than in 2019 and 20% up on 2020. The picture is less positive for exporters of fish and seafood as Brexit red tape has seen sales fall 29% compared to 2019.
In comparison England's total food and drink exports were down 15% on 2019 - while Scotland's were 5% lower and Northern Ireland's down 8%.
But Scotland's food and drink exports still dwarf that of Wales with over £5bn in Wales, mainly due to its lucrative whisky sector.
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Key findings from the report include:
- Wales, alongside Scotland and the North East of England, has seen the strongest recovery in response to the challenges of COVID and the new UK- EU trading relationship
- Strong growth was seen in exports to France and Belgium, growing 42% and 163% respectively.
- The share of exports to non-EU markets is increasing in Wales, as companies take advantage of the opportunities to grow exports through the UK Government’s new global trade deals.
The FDF Cymru’s chief executive Pete Robertson said: “From cereals to coffee and ham to honey, we are proud that produce from
"Welsh food and drink companies is now a much sought after good around the world.
“With more opportunities to export expected in the near future, Welsh food manufacturers are leading the way in putting the UK on the map while providing vital jobs for local people at the heart of our communities.”
Welsh Government Rural Affairs Minister Lesley Griffiths said: “It is excellent news our Welsh food and drink businesses have exceeded pre-Covid export levels and are leading the growth across the UK nations.
“We have fantastic companies in the sector and I am proud of the resilience they have shown during a difficult couple of years.”
