New figures show that British food and drink exports to the EU have collapsed by more than a third since Brexit. Analysis by the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) of HMRC data indicates a sharp fall in exports in the year to July compared with the same period in 2019.
Sugar exports saw the largest decline, dropping 70%. Poultry exports fell by 53%, while eggs and egg products sold for confectionary and baking industries were down 65% for the first seven months of the year compared to 2019. Full-year data from 2019 to 2025 shows an even deeper impact for eggs and egg products, with exports down 74%.
The NFU president, Tom Bradshaw, noted that the EU remains the largest trading partner for agri-food products, accounting for 68% of agri-food exports last year. However, trade volumes have fallen by over a third since 2019.
Food exporters have cited increased paperwork as a challenge since Brexit, with all food exports now requiring customs paperwork and health certifications for various products. Horticultural exports, including seed potatoes from Britain, have also been significantly affected, falling by more than 50% after being banned from the EU due to a failure to agree on equivalent standards.