Welsh food and drink exports have risen by almost 50% since 2019, according to a report published on Wednesday. The surge points to a resilient recovery across farms, factories and supply chains in Wales after years of disruption from Brexit, the pandemic and global inflation. Producers of Welsh lamb and beef, dairy, speciality sea salt, and fast-growing craft drinks have expanded their reach, while buyers in Europe and beyond continue to seek out branded, traceable and protected Welsh products. Industry leaders will see the figures as encouragement to invest in capacity, skills and marketing, even as costs and border checks challenge margins.
The increase in export value reflects a mix of stronger demand, sharper branding and higher prices in global markets. Analysts say the shift does not always mean goods moved in higher volumes, but it does signal improved commercial performance across a diverse sector. For a nation where food and drink anchors rural jobs and local economies, a near-50% uplift since 2019 marks a notable milestone.
Context and timing
The report, carried by the South Wales Argus on Wednesday, 8 October 2025, set out the latest picture for food and drink exports from Wales. It follows several years of trading change since the UK left the EU single market, with new rules for animal and plant products and a period of high input costs hitting energy, transport and packaging.
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A five-year rise from a turbulent baseline
The 2019 baseline pre-dates the main shock of the pandemic and the end of the UK’s transition period with the EU. Since then, Welsh exporters have navigated lockdowns, supply-chain disruption, and a step-change in paperwork and certification for shipments into European markets. The reported near-50% rise in export value suggests producers adapted at speed, protected key relationships, and found new routes to market.
Value growth deserves careful interpretation. Food price inflation surged in 2022 and 2023, pushing up export values even when volumes stayed steady. The Office for National Statistics recorded UK food and non-alcoholic drink inflation peaking at 19.2% in March 2023, the highest rate since the late 1970s. Currency movements added another layer: when sterling weakens, UK goods can price more competitively overseas and bring back higher revenues in pounds.
What Wales sells—and where it goes
Wales trades on a clear identity: pasture-based livestock, coastal fisheries, and distinctive provenance-led brands. PGI Welsh Lamb and PGI Welsh Beef remain the flagship products, backed by strict standards and traceability. Specialist items such as Anglesey sea salt (Halen Môn) carry protected status that supports premium positioning. Artisanal and craft drinks—gin, cider and a growing whisky scene—also help open doors with importers and distributors looking for premium, small-batch lines.
Europe remains the primary destination for most Welsh food and drink by value, reflecting long-established supply chains, consumer familiarity and relatively short, chilled journeys. France, Ireland, Spain and Germany are important for lamb, beef and dairy. Exporters also look to the Middle East and parts of Asia for lamb, dairy ingredients and high-end beverages, often with longer lead times and different regulatory demands. The broadening of markets spreads risk and helps exporters ride demand cycles.
Trade rules demand new ways of working
Brexit reshaped how Welsh food and drink reaches EU customers. The UK–EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement removed tariffs for qualifying goods but introduced customs declarations, rules-of-origin checks and sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) requirements. Exporters of meat and dairy now work with vets to secure export health certificates, plan for inspection windows, and manage groupage more carefully to prevent delays.
These frictions raised costs and heightened the value of reliability. Firms invested in compliance, labelling and logistics expertise. Trade bodies and government-backed teams provided practical support and market intelligence to keep orders moving. Over time, many businesses report faster clearance as systems bedded in and as hauliers, ports and cold-chain operators refined processes. The experience has also encouraged some companies to focus on fewer, higher-value products and buyers to manage complexity.
Prices, ports and the push for competitiveness
The jump in export value sits alongside stubborn cost pressures. Feed, fertiliser and energy costs spiked in 2022 after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and have eased only gradually. Cold storage and refrigerated transport remain expensive, while tight labour markets add wage pressure in processing and hospitality. Exporters balance these inputs with forward contracts and careful scheduling to protect margins.
Ports and routes matter. Welsh exporters rely on Holyhead and Fishguard for traffic to and from Ireland, while long-haul markets depend on efficient connections to major
