British Festive Favourites Fly Off Shelves in Asia-Pacific!
UK food and drink exporters are riding high after a bumper Christmas season. Demand for British festive treats – Scotch Whisky, chocolate, gin, sparkling wine and more – has soared across key CPTPP countries like Singapore, Japan, Mexico and Malaysia.
Chocolate and Sparkling Wine Boom
British luxury goods exports have skyrocketed. Chocolate exports to Singapore jumped a staggering 220% to over £26 million. Meanwhile, sparkling wine sales in Japan surged 140%, also topping £26 million.
The Indo-Pacific region, home to roughly half the world’s middle class, is a goldmine for UK brands. With the UK set to officially join the CPTPP next year, tariffs on 99% of UK goods heading to Mexico and Malaysia, including beloved chocolate, will drop to zero. Expect exports to go through the roof!
Scotch Whisky Reigns Supreme
Scotch Whisky is smashing records in Singapore, with exports worth over £380 million last year – a 31% rise, adding £90 million compared to 12 months ago. Malaysia is also loving their Scotch, with exports up 43% (£11 million) in the past year.
Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch said: “This Christmas, our fantastic British food and drink producers are already reaping the rewards of the UK’s tilt towards the Indo-Pacific, with high demand in fast-growth economies such as Singapore and Malaysia. When the UK becomes a full CPTPP member, tariffs on over 99% of UK goods will hit 0%, helping even more people celebrate next Christmas with a glass of English sparkling wine or dram of Scotch whisky.”
Mark Kent, Scotch Whisky Association CEO, added: “Exports of Scotch Whisky to CPTPP countries hit over £1.1 billion in 2022. UK’s CPTPP membership will unlock fresh opportunities, including Malaysia’s phased tariff cuts.”
Gin, Wine, and Chocolate Shine in Key Markets
- Isle of Harris Distillers boosted gin exports to Singapore by 56% (£3 million). Peter Kwasniewski, their International Biz Development Manager, said, “Consumers worldwide want less but better quality booze – exporting is great for growth.”
- Japan’s thirst for UK sparkling wine is booming. Balfour Winery from Kent reports Japan accounts for 35% of their sales, with sparkling wine exports hitting over £26 million, a 140% rise (£15 million up) last year.
- Summerdown, the Hampshire chocs maker, saw exports to Singapore leap 220% (£18 million) thanks to growing demand from the expat crowd. Chief Mint Officer Jo Colman praised the support from the Department for Business and Trade in cracking key markets.
UK’s food and drink export sector raked in an eye-watering £745 million boost last year, £440 million of which came from alcohol alone. As the UK locks in trade deals and smashes down tariffs, the country’s top-notch festive staples are set to light up more global tables.
