UK Food and Drink Trade Deficit Reaches £21 Billion, Raising Food Security Concerns

LONDON: The United Kingdom’s food and drink trade deficit has exceeded £21 billion, reaching its highest level since 2000, as exports declined and imports increased amid disruptions linked to Brexit, conflicts in the Middle East and US tariffs, according to industry data cited by The Guardian.

Analysis by the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) showed that UK food and drink export volumes fell by 11.7% during the first half of 2026 to around 4 billion kilograms. Exports to the European Union declined by 0.9% in value terms, while exports to markets outside the bloc fell by 6.9%.

The decline in overseas sales was partly attributed to disruption in the Middle East, with exports to the United Arab Emirates falling by almost a quarter. Sales to the United States also declined by 16.5% following the introduction of a 10% US import tariff.

At the same time, food and drink imports reached 19.1 billion kilograms in the first half of the year, making it the second-highest level recorded for that period. Imports from countries outside the EU have increased by more than a fifth since 2023, with trade agreements contributing to higher shipments from countries including Australia.

The widening deficit has prompted calls from agricultural and food industry representatives for greater support for domestic production. National Farmers’ Union President Tom Bradshaw said the figures highlighted the importance of maintaining the UK’s food production capacity amid geopolitical uncertainty.

The FDF also warned that food manufacturers were facing rising costs for energy, ingredients, transport, packaging and labour, while regulatory changes were adding to pressures on the sector.

Industry representatives have called for a long-term approach to strengthening domestic food production, arguing that greater domestic capacity could contribute to resilience in the face of geopolitical disruptions, climate-related pressures and volatility in global markets.