British berry exports reach £22.1 million in 2018
New figures show total UK soft fruit exports rose to a record-breaking £22.1 million last year, up from £13 million in 2017.
Exports from the UK to international markets rose by 69%, with blackberries, strawberries and raspberries being some of the most popular soft fruits. Together they are worth more than £18 million in overseas sales, with the Netherlands (£6 million), Spain (£5.8 million) and the Republic of Ireland (£3.4 million) being the biggest consumers.
Over the past five years, the demand for UK soft fruit has risen consistently, with the total value of exports rising by £16.8 million – an increase of more than 300% since 2013.
Speaking at the Fruit Focus Show in Kent, Farming Minister Robert Goodwill said: “I am delighted to be at the Fruit Focus Show to see the very best of the British soft fruit industry and the innovative ways that fruit is being grown on our farms.
“For soft fruits, the proof is in the pudding with exports having risen dramatically in the last year. This clearly shows the global demand for delicious, British-grown produce.”
The government’s Food is Great campaign works with industry leaders to boost the profile of UK food and drink at home and abroad, enabling businesses to seize new exporting opportunities across the globe.
