The food and drink export market is showing clear signs of recovery according to figures released by Food from Britain (FFB). Exports now stand at £8.9bn for 2002, up 4.4% on the previous 12 months, recording the first increase in six years, and recovering to a level last seen in 1998.

Food and drink sales to European markets have shown the biggest gains over the last 12 months, with sales up by 8%. Increases were recorded in all markets, bar Spain, which saw a drop in whisky sales, while exports to France were up for the first time in 7 years.

Further afield, gains were also recorded for British exporters with sales up in North America by 7% and Eastern Europe by 12%. However, losses were experienced in Asia (-4%) and South America (-16%). This led to an overall drop in exports to non-EU countries by 1% to end December 2002.

Added value products continue to be the 'stars' of British food and drink exports according to Food from Britain. Valued at £5.6bn and accounting for 63% of total exports in 2002, they have been steadily on the increase since 2000.

"These latest results are the most encouraging figures we have seen for the last six years," said Simon Waring, international management director for Food from Britain. "We first started to track the beginnings of a recovery in food and drink exports in 2001, but the FMD restrictions masked the positive gains made in many areas resulting in a further decline last year. With these now lifted, we can see the positive strides made by our exporters in key markets and product sectors."

"Indications for trading in early 2003 show that this upward trend is set to continue and we believe that there is room for significant growth in EU markets over the coming 12 months," concludes Waring.