UK food manufacturers reduce sales to Northern Ireland
New data by the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) suggests sales to Northern Ireland were down by 13% on average year-on-year.
According to a BBC report, the survey studied 83 FDF members between 4th and 19th October 2021. Under half of the study’s respondents were large businesses with more than 250 employees.
The survey found that smaller businesses experienced large dips in sales. However, the study did note that the data here is made from a relatively small sample of businesses.
The study also noted that sales volumes to Northern Ireland were down by roughly 10% this year among large businesses.
NI Protocol
In recent weeks, the European Commission has offered a series of arrangements to respond to the difficulties that people in Northern Ireland have been experiencing because of Brexit.
The new proposals aim to further facilitate the movement of goods from Great Britain to Northern Ireland. These include a ‘bespoke solution’ for NI on food, plant and animal health that could lead to an ‘80% reduction in checks’, and ‘flexible customs formalities’ to cut paperwork.
Industry bodies said the proposals were “a step in the right direction” but stressed that detailed solutions had not yet been found.
Supply chain reacts to 2021 Autumn Budget
Retailers confirm support for British pork
