What Are the Top UK Food & Drink Exports to The Middle East?

September 16, 2021

With Non-EU UK food and drink exports increasing by 13% to £4.3 billion during the course of 2021, trade with the rest of the world is booming after recovering from the turmoil caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and Brexit.

One of the growth markets has been the Middle East, with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) leading the way. Exports to this lucrative market now total hundreds of millions of pounds every year. With that in mind, let’s review the top ten UK food and drink export items and explain a little more about how you can obtain them for sale within Middle Eastern markets.

Top 10 UK Exports to Middle Eastern Countries

Despite being strict by Western standards regarding the consumption of alcohol, it still leads the way in terms of UK food and drink exports to Middle Eastern countries, with Whisky topping the list.

The complete list of the top ten exported items includes:

  • Whisky
  • Salmon
  • Chocolate
  • Pork
  • Cheese
  • Soft drinks
  • Wine
  • Breakfast cereals
  • Gin
  • Beer

As you can see, the list varied, with four of the ten being alcoholic beverages. According to recent figures, all categories bar cheese, breakfast cereals, and gin have increased in trade volume during the course of 2021 as demand continues to soar for British products overseas.

Why Export UK Food and Drink Products to the Middle East?

Vast swathes of the resident population in Middle Eastern countries such as the UAE, Qatar, and Bahrain contain expats that long for the staples of British produce within their overseas market.

By teaming up with British food exporters, you can launch your brand into a new and incredibly lucrative international market. With higher than average salaries and no income tax in certain jurisdictions, many expats have plenty of disposable income to spend on their creature comforts from home.

Likewise, if you are based in the Middle East, you may already be well aware of the pent up demand for British products within these markets and want to expand your retail offering to these customers.

With Leverbrook Export, you can expand your wholesale export orders to include many brands with little financial risk using our UK food export consolidation services. We stock most leading brands that are recognised the world over, ensuring product acceptance when you bring them to market.

Why Choose Leverbrook Export as Your UK Food Export Company to the Middle East?

First and foremost, we have been exporting British food and drink products to the Middle Eastern market for 50 years. No other company can match our expertise and knowledge when it comes to exporting to these competitive markets.

Secondly, we have developed a broad spectrum of export services that allow us to supply organisations of all shapes and sizes with the best produce Britain has to offer over timescales that suit you.

Lastly, it’s our mission to make things as simple as possible for you, whether you are looking to import British goods to the Middle East or a British brand looking to tap into this exciting market through exportation. At Leverbrook Export, we take care of everything from labelling and translation to export documentation, leaving you to focus on other vital aspects of your business.

If you like to learn more about how we can help you export or obtain products made by British household brand names, don’t hesitate to contact a member of our team to discuss your requirements. We look forward to receiving your export enquiry shortly.