British food and drink exports to EU collapse by more than a third since Brexit

British food and drink exports to the European Union fell by more than a third in the year to July compared with the same period in 2019, according to analysis by the National Farmers' Union (NFU) of official HMRC data.

The NFU analysis identifies sharp declines across multiple categories. Sugar exports dropped 70 percent. Egg product exports fell 74 percent. The figures show that eggs, chicken and potato producers were among the hardest hit sectors.

The EU remains the UK's largest trading partner for food and drink. The NFU's examination of official government data marks the first comprehensive assessment of export trends since Britain left the European Union.

The data covers the period to July, with comparisons drawn to the same months in 2019, before Brexit negotiations concluded and the trade relationship between the UK and EU changed.