British food and drink producers urged to join forces on export strategy

British food and drink producers are in danger of missing out on new global business opportunities in 2010 and beyond unless a nationally coordinated export strategy is put in place, warns the Food & Drink Exporters Association (FDEA).

The FDEA is calling for a national strategy to ensure food and drink producers are ready to seize global business opportunities over the coming decade, especially in emerging markets such as India and China.
However, the FDEA believes that this will only happen if the industry works more closely together with the government to develop a national export strategy, to help companies large and small maximise on international business opportunities.
“There is a real global appetite for British food and drink, however, after a surge in the first six months of 2009, exports are now slowing down, says John Whitehead, FDEA director.“This shows that we can’t be complacent and exporters need support to take advantage of current strong trading conditions and significant opportunities. It therefore seems short-sighted that there is no national export strategy for one the most successful manufacturing sectors.
“We are therefore calling for more food and drink producers to join forces with the FDEA now so we can help to secure a long-term national export strategy to the benefit of all. It is essential that the industry has a strong collective voice and leads the way in encouraging this, or the future government, to make it a priority.