The United Kingdom is a world leader in free-from food production (products without gluten, dairy, nuts, etc.), with an ever-growing range of products that cater to those with allergies, intolerances, and other dietary preferences.
As the free-from food market continues to grow in the UK, there is an increasing demand for these products in domestic markets all over the globe – providing an excellent opportunity for UK businesses to export their products and, likewise, for importers to bring in new and innovative products to satisfy their customers’ needs.
There are several reasons why now is the ideal time to start exporting UK-produced free-from products to your country. Let’s take a brief look at them now.
1. The Free-From Market is Growing Rapidly
There’s no doubt about it; the free-from food category is perhaps the fastest growing in the world. The global market size was valued at £76 billion in 2018 and is projected to reach £136 billion by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 7.7% from 2019 to 2026.
With such rapid growth expected growth, entering this market segment now could prove very lucrative for businesses looking to offer their customers a broader range of products.
2. The UK is a World Leader in Free-From Food
The UK has a long history of being at the forefront of producing high-quality products. However, with British households more likely to buy free-from foods than ever before, manufacturers in the country have really stepped up their game to meet this growing demand.
To give you some context, today, 26% of UK households avoid dairy products, 18% regularly buy dairy substitutes, and 40% of free-from consumers agree that they are more likely to buy products made with sustainably sourced ingredients.
Against such a backdrop, UK brands have worked hard to cater to and expand their product ranges to meet this growing demand. Consequently, the country has become something of a hotbed for new and innovative free-from food products, making it the perfect place to source products from.
3. Demand Not Just Being Driven By Allergies or Intolerances
One of the key reasons the market is set to soar in countries still relatively new to free-from is that the demand isn’t simply being driven by people with allergies or intolerances.
In fact, a growing number of people are choosing to buy free-from foods as a lifestyle choice, whether that’s due to ethical concerns, animal welfare issues, or simply because they want to avoid highly-processed foods.
Moreover, with an ever-growing number of people following vegan and vegetarian diets, the demand for free-from meat alternatives is also on the rise.
4. There is an Increase in Demand for Free-From Products Overseas
While other countries have lagged behind the UK in terms of the growth of their free-from markets, there is an increasing demand for these products in overseas markets.
This is primarily driven by the factors mentioned above, namely the increasing awareness of food allergies and intolerances combined with a growing number of people following vegan and vegetarian diets.
With its market size and potential value growing every day, now is the time to start exporting UK free-from products to your country.
Partner with Leverbrook Export Today to Source Industry-Leading British Free-From Products
As one of the UK’s leading food and drink exporters, Leverbrook Export has the expertise, experience, and partnerships to help you source the best free-from products from across the UK.
Whether you’re looking for dairy-free, gluten-free, nut-free, or meat-free products, we can provide you with a comprehensive range of high-quality options available for export, all of which are sure to delight customers in your chosen markets.
To register your interest in importing or exporting free-from products from the UK, get in touch with our team today. We look forward to hearing from you.