British Food Exports to EU Fall by More Than a Third Since Brexit

LONDON — British food and drink exports to the European Union have fallen by more than a third since Brexit, with egg, poultry and potato producers among the hardest hit, according to new figures reported by The Guardian on October 16.

An analysis by the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) of official UK trade data found that sugar exports to the EU fell by 70% in the year to July compared with the same period in 2019. Poultry exports declined by 53%, while exports of eggs and egg products dropped by 65% in the first seven months of 2026. Full-year figures show that egg and egg-product exports fell by 74% between 2019 and 2025.

The EU remains the UK’s largest trading partner for agricultural and food products, accounting for 68% of these exports in 2025. Farmers and food businesses have raised concerns about additional customs paperwork, certification requirements and border checks introduced after Brexit, saying these have increased costs and made trade more difficult.

Some products have faced further restrictions. British seed potatoes, mainly from Scotland, cannot be exported to the EU under current arrangements because the two sides have not agreed on equivalent standards. Horticultural exports have also suffered a significant decline.

The UK and EU have been working towards an agreement to ease sanitary and phytosanitary checks on agricultural and food products. An agreement was largely reached in May, but some details remain to be finalised. Changes are expected to come into effect next summer.

The figures highlight the continuing challenges facing British food producers as they seek to maintain access to the European market. However, wider economic conditions and changes in trade patterns also need to be considered when assessing the overall impact on exports.