Joe Goldsworthy is a trade and customs consultant at the Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade, and specialises in food and drink imports and exports.
There is no denying that international trade has been difficult in recent years, particularly for the food and drink sector, which has seen a rapid shift in consumer trends and trading regulations.
Despite this, UK produce remains in demand around the world. Manufacturers across the country are also remaining resilient, diversifying both products and markets to keep ahead of competition.
Unlocking the benefits of free trade agreements (FTAs) is vitally important for many companies to maximise the opportunities that still exist in international trade.
Building on the trends of today
Consumer trends constantly evolve and brands need to position themselves to be at the forefront of consumer choices.
FTAs are a fantastic way of adapting the supply chain to bring in materials and ingredients which can make your products more marketable. Sometimes it is easy to see FTAs as a one-way street to benefit just the export side of products, but they can equally be utilised for imports as well.
Health benefits are at the top of the agenda for many foods, so whether your product is protein-rich, a cutting-edge convenience snack on the go, or focused on ‘fibremaxxing’, ingredients may need to be sourced from a wide variety of countries.
For soy, sweet potatoes or grains, there are a variety of new UK FTAs available for businesses to capitalise on, giving them tariff free access in a lot of cases.
There are numerous FTAs available for countries harvesting such products, including the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) for Asia, while recent changes to the Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS) make it easier to import goods with incurring duties from countries around the world.
Future thinking
Food chains are evolving, with international trade playing an increasingly important role in food security. Traditional crops are being procured from different regions to keep the production lines flowing, so a good grasp of FTAs is vital for companies in the sector to remain profitable.
Consumer crops such as coffee and cocoa are consistently in high demand, however there is also a focus towards sustainability, meaning there are a lot of considerations when procuring commodities. By unlocking FTAs in Central and South America, and by investing in these regions, you not only get access to reduced or preferential rates of duty, but your production can go towards sustainable initiatives.
Given an increased focus on sustainability driving consumer demand, coupled with upcoming regulations such as the EU Deforestation Regulation, investment into regions can be kickstarted by FTAs. This can create a circular economy which is beneficial for both the UK as well as the exporting country, pushing sustainability to the forefront of production.
Knowledge is the gateway to success
Depending on the region you conduct trade with, there can be different provisions in place to secure preferential trade. The rules for one trade agreement may not necessarily be the same for another country or region.
Given the important role that FTAs play in the supply chain, it is crucial that traders and manufacturers in the food and drink sector understand how to unlock the benefits of FTAs.
Executive editor William Barns-Graham and I are hosting a discussion on this very topic at the International Food & Drink Event 2026 (IFE), demystifying some of the pre-conceptions of FTAs, and giving attendees the confidence to remain compliant when trading with new and existing clients.
We’ll be talking about trading with many of the partners the UK has signed a trade agreement with at 2pm on Monday 30 March at IFE. Book your place here
