THE UK'S food and drink exports have risen for the first time in four years, according to figures for 2001 released by export marketing agency Food from Britain. Overseas trade was up – by just one per cent – in the first six months of 2001, despite tough economic trading conditions.

But the picture for horticultural exports is not so cheery with volume of vegetables exported down by 20 per cent and fruit down by 18 per cent. 'Horticultural exports are static,' said Horticultural Export Bureau manager Tim Mudge. 'We are delighted that food and drink exports in general have risen, but our members report that exports are quite static and we are not hearing of any trailblazing into new markets.' The strength of sterling has much to do with this dull outlook, but with reports that an increasing focus on added value products over commodity foods is boosting the export market, specialist produce exporters stand to gain. Added value products across the food and drink sector showed an impressive seven per cent increase whereas the commodities saw a decline of a further 11 per cent.

'Customers in export markets who want to buy quality have been paying more as the exchange rate has gone up,' reported Mudge. 'We have bulk product exports such as potatoes as well as more speciality lines such as mini veg, and speciality lettuce and tomato lines. But if we can become more competitive, then our product will become even more attractive.' With the arrival of the euro as hard cash in pockets across 12 EU member states, analysts predict a hardening in its value, which should see it strengthen against sterling and the dollar. This would provide welcome relief to horticultural exporters tired of battling against cheap imports on the home front as they struggle to compete on export markets. l

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