The NFU has revealed its export strategy which aims to grow the UK’s agri-food exports by 30% by 2030, bringing the total value of UK agri-food exports to over £30 billion.
The new ’30, 30, 30+’ ambition is designed to be achieved in partnership with the Government and contains a 10-point plan to reach the new target.
Th ten-point plan
- Understanding out strengths – a systematic assessment that maps out the UK agri-food and drink sector’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT).
- Identifying the best overseas markets for success – identify key “target markets” overseas that complement the strengths established through the SWOT analysis.
- Unlocking target markets – working in partnership, government and industry need to identify existing barriers to accessing or growing market share in our target markets.
- Investing in technical expertise at home and abroad – delivering a programme of successful events and initiatives in the target markets.
- Domestic innovation and investment to improve export capacity – carrying out public and private investment in research and technology to help to grow UK exports.
- Ensuring domestic infrastructure supports international trade – making sure efficient transport links across the UK and to export hubs at ports and airports are fit for the 21st Century.
- Domestic support for exporters – the Government and industry continuing to invest in domestic awareness and upskilling initiatives.
- Creating a trade information one-stop-shop for agri-food exports – a one-stop-shop bringing together information from across the UK, tailored to individual parts of the UK where necessary
- Marketing and promotions – reviewing of marketing and promotional activities for agri-food exports and enhancing UK industry’s presence at events such as trade shows.
- Strategic co-ordination and ownership – ensuring the recently announced Food and Drink Export Council is jointly led by government and industry, with co-chairs appointed on a rotating basis from governments and industry across each of the four nations.
“The premium quality of British food is recognised all around the world. Our iconic products, such as Cheddar cheese and British lamb, are not just known for their quality, but the high standards and sustainability they are produced to,” said NFU president, Minette Batters.
“As we enter a new world where the UK aims to be a major player in global trade, and our farmers will be facing much more competition from imports, now is the time to drive our agri-food exports. There are some fantastic opportunities for Britain in our new trading relationships and for British food and farming.”
Ms Batters added that NFU wants to work with the government to increase our agri-food exports by 30% by 2030 and see tangible progress, and expressed her belief that the 10-point plan the union has put together can help achieve this, but that it needs commitment and resource from the government to enable this growth.
“We also shouldn’t be afraid to take a leaf out of our competitors’ playbooks either,” she added. “The likes of Australia, New Zealand and the USA are competitive exporters because they put the experts and resources into their target markets. That’s something our government should be looking to emulate and work with farmers to achieve.”
