Browse Data and Analysis

The UK has a large, well-developed food processing industry, requiring a wide range of ingredients, from low-value, highly processed food to high-value, lightly processed ingredients. This provides many opportunities for U.S. exporters, including wellness and health products.

Following the UK’s departure from the European Union (EU), Great Britain (GB) is now outside of the EU single market and customs union, while Northern Ireland (NI) remains within the EU single market and customs union. Currently, rules in GB closely mirror EU law.

The Caribbean’s rebound from the economic downturn induced by the COVID-19 pandemic has been slow. Anxious for better times, the region is looking ahead at 2023 and hoping for improved tourist arrivals that will spark a return to more robust economic growth.

In 2023, the cost-of-living crisis will replace COVID as the key challenge to the UK food and drink sector. Prices have increased at the fastest rate in 40 years, as the war in Ukraine, supply chain issues, and increases in energy prices make an impact.

Since January 1, 2021, the UK has been responsible for authorizing products of genetic engineering (GE) using retained EU law. Eight GE crops are currently out for public consultation as part of the second tranche of approvals under the new UK...

Japan’s National Tax Agency (NTA) proposed 9 new geographical indications (GIs) for alcoholic beverages from the United Kingdom. NTA will accept public comments on the proposal through January 16, 2023.

The hospitality industry was one of the hardest hit sectors during the pandemic but bounced back to pre-COVID levels since the full reopening of the sector in March 2022. However, the industry now faces an even bigger challenge with the cost-of-living crisis affecting the UK. Supply shortages, delays to deliveries, and staff shortages are having a significant impact on everyday business operations.

With international funding to develop and implement biosafety regulatory systems drying up in 2019, Caribbean biosafety regulatory efforts remain in idle mode. The region is seeking further funding from the United Nations Environmental Program/Global...

The resumption of travel amid a waning COVID-19 pandemic is breathing much-needed fresh air into the Caribbean Hotel Restaurant Institutional (HRI) food service sector. Yet in 2021 sector sales still fell short of pre-pandemic levels.

Following the United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union, U.S. food exports are now required to follow new UK labeling requirements. Additionally, exporters should consider current labeling trends followed by UK manufacturers and private...

The UK retail sector is one of the most sophisticated in the world, with the UK retail grocery market valued at $282 billion in June 2022. Discounters remain the fastest growing channel, with online grocery shopping remaining stable after achieving unprecedented growth during the pandemic.

The Caribbean retail grocery sector continued on the upswing in 2021. The region increased its imports of consumer-oriented agricultural products by 14 percent in 2021, reaching an estimated $2.45 billion. The outlook calls for moderate growth as the region continues on the path to recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and markets such as Guyana and Turks and Caicos Islands emerge as larger players in the regional context.