The UK’s agri-food attaché network has helped open almost £100 million in new export opportunities for British food and drink producers so far in 2025, according to government figures and industry estimates.
Since January, the UK’s 16 attachés have removed 41 trade barriers across global markets, widening access for British products ranging from dairy to live seafood. Industry bodies estimate the new openings are worth close to £100 million a year.
Recent market access wins include the opening of Vietnam’s live seafood market, valued at around £4 million annually, the unlocking of an estimated £35 million a year in dairy exports to Egypt, and a £3.8 million annual pork agreement with Mexico. Previous successes include securing access for British beetroot in the United States in 2024 and the reopening of pork exports to China, worth around £80 million a year.
The attaché programme was created to expand the UK’s global agricultural footprint following the country’s exit from the European Union, which enabled the UK to run its own trade policy. The last Conservative government concluded more than 70 trade agreements, including new deals with nations such as Australia and Japan, and accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).
The UK food and drink sector, the country’s largest manufacturing industry, valued at £37 billion and employing nearly half a million people, has been a key beneficiary of the attaché network’s market-opening efforts.
Jonathan Eckley, International Trade Development Director at the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), said:
“Ensuring we have a broad portfolio of markets for our world-class red meat and dairy produce is essential to maximise opportunities around the world and we will continue to work with the agri-attachés, wider government and industry to help ensure those products thrive in the global market.
“International trade plays a major role in supporting our levy payers and the collaborative approach between AHDB, industry and government in securing market access and supporting export development delivers tangible results for our red meat and dairy sectors.”
Attachés returned to the UK this week to meet producers and industry groups as part of ongoing work to identify export barriers, understand commercial challenges, and promote British products in high-value overseas markets. Their work focuses on emphasising the quality, safety and provenance of UK goods in regions where demand for premium products is growing.
Top British agri-food exports last year included whisky, chocolate, salmon, animal feed and cereals, illustrating the diversity of the UK’s export portfolio.
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