Big leap in British food exports to China

A taste for Scottish salmon and British pork by China’s emerging middle classes drove UK food and drink exports 5 per cent higher last year to £12.8bn.

Exports to China, the second largest non-EU market for the UK’s exports, were up 82 per cent, said the Food & Drink Federation.

China’s demand for pork and salmon contributed £33m while Hong Kong’s imports of British lamb, crustaceans and salmon added £16m.

Other strong exports globally were chocolate and cheese. Exports to the EU were still 75 per cent of the total.

Steve Barnes, the federation’s economic director, said: “In contrast to UK goods exports falling in 2013, food and drink exports are back in growth.”