Exports of British farm products to the European Union have seen a significant decline of 37.4% since Brexit, according to analysis from the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) based on HMRC data. The report shows that various sectors have been adversely affected, with poultry exports suffering the most, down 37.7%, followed by beef exports which are down 23.6%, lamb at 14%, and dairy at 15.6%. This trend underscores the substantial challenges faced by UK farmers in accessing EU markets post-Brexit.

NFU president Tom Bradshaw commented that while not all declines can be attributed solely to Brexit, they nevertheless illustrate the considerable damage done by leaving the European Union in 2020. He expressed concern that simply easing trade barriers would not restore the access British farmers once had to the lucrative EU market. In his view, mere reduction of friction in trade processes will not fill the void left by the departure from the EU.

The data highlights ongoing challenges for British agricultural exporters, raising questions about the future of these markets. As the NFU suggests, the landscape of EU competition has changed, and there are no guarantees that the British food sector can reclaim its share of the market without significant structural changes in trade relationships and renewed investment in competitiveness.