Home›Global Markets›Trade & Tariffs›UK food and drink deficit tops £21bn, industry warns o…

UK food and drink deficit tops £21bn, industry warns of national security risk

The deficit has widened alongside a drop in export volumes of 11.7% in the first half of 2026, reaching 4bn kg.

Reported · Written up by our desk · Trade & Tariffs

The UK food and drink trade deficit has risen to more than £21bn, its largest level since 2000, according to an analysis cited by the Guardian Business.

The outlet linked the deterioration to Brexit, the war in the Middle East, and US tariffs, saying these factors dented overseas delivery volumes while imports surged.

Industry leaders urged the government to protect homegrown produce on national security grounds, calling the trend a “wake-up call.”

The Guardian Business also reported that UK food and drink export volumes fell by more than a tenth, down 11.7% in the first half of 2026 to 4bn kg.

More like this

Sources