The first half of 2025 has been marked by renewed uncertainty for international traders, as US tariffs and geopolitical instability have hit global trade. However, international appetite for the UK’s food and drink products remains strong, as consumers flock to buy ‘brand Britain’.
In the Chartered Institute for Export & International Trade’s customs whitepaper, ‘Growing Trade’, trade and customs specialist Joseph Goldsworthy offered five key strategies for boosting your food and drink exports in 2025.
The free guide covered a number of different areas – including taking advantage of free trade agreements (FTAs), labelling your products and perfecting your paperwork – explaining how to make sure your food and drink trade survives and thrives this year.
New markets
It’s often said that fortune favours the brave, and the UK has a new selection of trade deals for businesses brave enough to break into new markets.
Britain currently has 39 FTAs across 72 countries for traders to consider.
Accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) recently unlocked new markets in South Asia, such as Malaysia, with which the UK did not previously have a trade deal.
For countries that have ratified the UK’s CPTPP accession which have existing UK trade deals, including Japan and Australia, there are now simplified requirements around rules of origin.
This means that some products now qualify for preference where they previously wouldn’t have under pre-existing bilateral FTAs.
EU agreement
Closer to home, the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) remains a fundamental tool when trading with the EU, although not one that all exporters are utilising to maximum benefit.
The TCA is due to be reviewed next year, with possible changes to trading rules.
The Chartered Institute’s Trading with the EU training course offers a comprehensive primer on new rules for moving goods in and out of the bloc, as well as opportunities available for UK firms.
By understanding how FTAs are structured and knowing what deals are available, you can access the markets closest to home as well as those furthest afield.
If you’re not currently a Chartered Institute member and you’d like to benefit from member-exclusive content to improve your FTA knowledge of FTAs, as well as access to a host of other products, explore membership with us here.
The Chartered Institute is also hosting a free webinar on growing your food and drink exports at 2pm on 21 May. You can sign up here.
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