Non-alcoholic drink exports fizzing

BRITISH exports of food and non-alcoholic drink grew to more than £5 billion in the first half of 2010 - a rise of 4.3 per cent on the same period in 2009 - data today reveals.

The Food and Drink Federation said full-year sales to overseas markets were now forecast to break the 10bn barrier for the first time.

First-half growth was driven by markets outside the European Union. Exports to non-EU markets increased from 927.6 million to 1.14bn - a 23.1 per cent rise.

The fastest-growing export market for UK food and drink was Hong Kong, up 49.3 per cent. Other particularly strong areas included North America, up 34.9 per cent, Asia, up 34.6 per cent, Latin America, were there was a 20.8 per cent hike and the Middle East, which recorded a 20 per cent rise.

Dairy proved to be the strongest sector, showing growth of 21.3 per cent.