FDF points East to food and drink export opportunities

5 September 2011

The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) is spurring on UK food and drink manufacturers to develop export links with China by supporting the British presence at its leading 2011 exhibition2, FHC China, which takes place from 14-18 November 2011 in Shanghai.

China is an important growth market for the UK, with its worldwide food and drink imports having continued in a positive trend in July to just under £5bn, up from £4.4bn in June.3 With 2010 figures for UK food and drink exports to China up 28.5% on 2009 figures, manufacturers are increasingly looking at opportunities in this market.4

In a joint initiative with the Food & Drink Exporters Association (FDEA) and UK Trade & Investment (UKTI), FDF's support will ensure companies benefit from an enhanced and strongly branded UK presence at the show; a specially organised trade development visit for non-exhibiting companies to give them a taste of the market; and a meet the buyer initiative enabling companies to meet key customers from the retail and food service sectors.

Charlotte Lawson, Director of Member Services at FDF, said:

“The UK manufactures many of the world's best loved food and drink brands, and demand for our products abroad continues to grow. China, with its growing middle class, has turned from an export country to an import destination. As a growth market for the UK, China cannot be ignored.

“Working with FDEA and UKTI, FDF wants to help UK food and drink manufacturers take the Chinese market by storm by significantly enhancing the UK presence at the FHC exhibition in Shanghai. We aim to support Britain in her endeavour to double trade with China by 2015 to some 62 billion pounds, by supporting business building initiatives which enable UK food and drink manufacturers to gain access to this market.”

Notes:

1. The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) is the voice of the food and drink manufacturing industry – the UK's largest manufacturing sector. For more information about FDF and the industry we represent visit: www.fdf.org.uk

2. FHC China, the 15th International Exhibition for Food, Drink, Hospitality, Foodservice, Bakery and Retail Industries, provides an opportunity for UK manufacturers to showcase their products to an expected audience of 20,000 buyers from across China. Link
http://www.fhcchina.com/en/index.asp

3. Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) figures, 'Major Import Commodities in Quantity and Value' (food excluding cigarettes), JUL. 2011 Link
http://www.hktdc.com/info/mi/ccs/en/China-Statistics.htm

4. HMRC Trade Info Link
https://www.uktradeinfo.com/index.cfm?&hasFlashPlayer=true

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