Analysis of HMRC data by the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) reveals a sharp contraction in British food and drink exports to the European Union. Comparing the year ending in July 2024 to the same period in 2019, exports have fallen by more than one-third. The report highlights that the decline is not uniform across all sectors, with certain agricultural products facing more severe challenges than others.

According to the NFU analysis, the sugar industry has been hit hardest, recording a 70% decrease in export volume. The poultry sector has also seen a major reduction, with exports falling by 53% during the first seven months of the year. Additionally, the market for eggs and egg products—which are frequently utilized in the confectionery and baking industries—has seen a 65% drop over the same period. While the data provides a clear picture of the volume decline, it does not explicitly detail the specific regulatory or logistical hurdles cited by producers as the primary drivers of these figures. The report frames the findings as a direct consequence of the post-Brexit trading environment, though it focuses primarily on the statistical outcome rather than the broader economic implications for consumer prices or domestic supply chains.