Exports of food and drink from the UK to the EU collapsed 75.5 per cent in January according to figures from the Food and Drink Federation. Ireland, which had been the Uk’s biggest market for exports was the worst hit trade route, accounting for just 5 per cent of UK exports, compared with around 19 per cent in January 2020.
The federation indicated that although some of the drop can be attributed to a partial rebalancing after high levels of stockpiling before the December 31 departure date, it emphasised that businesses were facing intractable problems.
However trade between the UK and EU partially recovered in February.
Official figures show exports to the EU jumped by 46.6%, £3.7bn, to £11.6bn, following January's 42% slump when firms struggled with new trade rules.
The Office for National Statistics said exports were still below last year's levels and imports from the EU had seen a weaker recovery.
