Following the UK’s exit from the EU in 2020, Egypt and Morocco have emerged as key beneficiaries in the UK fruit and vegetable market. Over the past five years, both countries have experienced a significant increase in the value of their exports to the United Kingdom, according to EastFruit.
The withdrawal of the UK from the EU resulted in intricate import protocols for products from EU member states, including fruits and vegetables. British importers, facing complex procedures and food inflation in 2022-2023, gradually shifted their focus to countries outside the EU. This strategic realignment led to a rise in the share of non-EU imports from 47% to 51% in 2022, causing a decline in imports from the EU.
The transformation in the UK’s fruit and vegetable market, particularly in its supplier base, has been notable. Egypt and Morocco have experienced the most significant growth in the value of their exports to the UK. Between 2018 and 2022, imports of fresh, dried, and frozen Egyptian fruit and vegetables increased by 150%, while for Morocco, the increase was almost 200%. In contrast, traditional European suppliers such as the Netherlands, Belgium, and France witnessed significant decreases in their exports, with French fruit and vegetable imports halving in five years.
Interestingly, Poland, an EU member state, managed to increase its share in the UK fruit and vegetable market by 33% over five years. Spanish exports also saw a rise in value in 2022, reflecting increased product prices due to climate and other disruptions in 2022-2023, after remaining relatively stable in the preceding years.
