UK food and soft drink exports were flat in 2012, data released today (18 March) showed. Poor weather, the economic crisis in the eurozone and a strong pound hit sales, particularly in Europe. There was strong growth in some markets further afield but the picture in the key BRIC markets was mixed as the tables below show.

UK Exports of Food & Non-alcoholic Drinks: Top 20 Countries,2011-2012 (£m)
  2011 2012 % Change
Ireland 2932 2983 1.7
France 1444 1326 -8.2
Netherlands 1172 1198 2.2
Germany 1037 1117 7.7
Belgium 569 555 -2.4
Spain 558 517 -7.5
United States 491 492 0.1
Italy 431 372 13.5
Denmark 221 204 -7.5
Sweden 170 198 16.5
Poland 203 183 -9.8
Canada 149 156 4.3
United Arab Emirates 123 153 24.9
Norway 177 149 -16
Hong Kong 128 135 4.9
Saudi Arabia 87 118 35.2
Australia 101 114 12.6
China 99 110 11
Portugal 131 105 -19.7
Japan 86 96 12
Exports to selected emerging markets in 2012
  2011 2012 % Change
Brazil 21 21 1.7
Russia 105 92 -12.6
India 20 19 -5.3
New Zealand 17 18 0.7
Vietnam 24 26 9.8
Egypt 85 95 11.7
Turkey 41 33 -19.8
South Africa 74 91 21.9