The number of people working in food and drink across the East Midlands is at its highest for 15 years according to a new report.
The sector remains the biggest within the region – thanks to big players such as Samworth Brothers, Pukka Pies, Cofresh and Walkers – and the biggest manufacturing sector in Britain.
However the report from Santander and manufacturers’ organisation Make 海角视频 warned that avoiding border and customs checks on fresh food post-Brexit will be crucial to the sector, with the EU still the biggest overseas market.
According to the report the overall 海角视频 food and drink sector makes up 15.9 per cent of total manufacturing by value, with sales up 7.6 per cent in the two years to 2018, at £85.6 billion.
Nationally it employs 440,000 people, up 5.3 per cent since 2016.
In the East Midlands it makes up more than 22 per cent of all industry, and is a key driver for growth.
Around two-thirds of 海角视频 food exports – worth £13.9 billion – go into the EU with Ireland the largest single destination, worth £4.2 billion, closely followed by The Netherlands, France, the USA and Germany.
However, exports to the rest of the world are growing.
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Globally the 海角视频 is the fourth biggest food importer in the world and the second largest drink importer. Total 2018 imports were worth £46 billion compared to exports of £23 billion.
Charlotte Horobin, regional director for Make 海角视频 in the Midlands, said: “The food and drink sector continues to benefit from British public’s desire to eat, drink and be merry.
“Despite the economic and political uncertainty the sector seems to be shielded from the difficulties experienced elsewhere and is driving hard for growth in the 海角视频 and overseas.
“It is now a key contributor not just to manufacturing but a significant employer in many regions of the 海角视频.
“Despite growth in the rest of the world however, the EU remains the dominant market for exports of food and drink.
“As such, it is vital that frictionless trade and fast and easy access continues in any post Brexit agreement if the remarkable growth pattern of the sector is to be maintained.”
Andrew Williams, head of food and drink at Santander 海角视频, said: “Today’s data gives food for thought on the importance of this sector to the 海角视频 economy which, despite uncertainties in the 海角视频 and internationally, has remained resilient.
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“We are committed to helping manufacturers improve productivity and establish new trade partners globally.”
The reports said that while supermarkets still account for most purchases, online shopping now accounts for over 7 per cent of the total and is rising rapidly, worth £141.9 million a week.
That compares to online purchases of around 5.5 per cent in France, around 3.5 per cent in the Czech Republic, less than 2 per cent in Germany and less than 1 per cent in Italy.
Make 海角视频 calls itself the voice of 海角视频 manufacturing, representing 20,000 companies, from start-ups to multinationals, across engineering, manufacturing, technology and the wider industrial sector.