From premium pork in Mexico to British sparkling wine in Japan, these examples highlight how UK producers are making their mark internationally and why now is the time for others to explore exporting.
1. UK Pork lands on Mexican menus
In a landmark deal announced in August 2025, 12 businesses across England and Northern Ireland secured approval to export British pork to Mexico’s rapidly expanding market.
This agreement, valued at £19 million over the first five years, marks a significant step for UK pig farmers and processors, who can now supply premium pork products, including pork chops, offal, and edible by-products to Mexican consumers. The deal is the result of dedicated negotiations between UK and Mexican authorities, with a focus on maintaining high welfare and food safety standards.
British pork’s reputation for quality and traceability played a key role in winning access, and the deal is expected to optimise the value of UK pig carcasses, strengthen farm gate prices, and support rural communities.
As the former Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs Daniel Zeichner put it: “British pork is renowned for its exceptional quality and high welfare standards, so it’s no surprise to see global demand continuing to grow.”
It demonstrates this government’s commitment to securing better trade deals for British farmers and food producers and will boost their incomes as part of our Plan for Change.
Jonathan Eckley, Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) International Trade Development director, said: “Broadening the scope of our pig meat exports to the significant Mexican market was very welcome news and a testament to our levy payers’ work in providing world class products, produced to the highest standards.”
2. UK seafood makes a splash in Vietnam
April 2025 saw another major breakthrough as Vietnam granted market access for live seafood products from the UK. This agreement opens up significant opportunities for UK exporters, particularly those supplying premium species such as European lobster and brown crab.
Vietnamese consumers, who already have one of the highest seafood consumption rates in Southeast Asia, will now be able to enjoy premium UK shellfish in its preferred live form.
The deal has already driven a 276% increase in live seafood export value in the first 9 months of 2025 compared to the same period the year before. It is expected to boost local economies and support jobs across many UK coastal communities
Andy Gray, trade engagement manager at Seafish - a public body supporting the seafood industry in the UK - says that “such improved access will add a further string to the UK’s bow when it comes to meeting increasing demand for high quality seafood from the UK, and open up new, exciting and fruitful opportunities for many specialist UK exporters”.
3. UK spirits stir up success in India
Following the Prime Minister’s historic visit to Mumbai, India in October 2025 to sign the UK-India Free Trade Agreement and highlight the strength of bilateral trade ties, DBT set the stage for deeper collaboration in high-growth sectors like the UK’s alcoholic drinks industry.
DBT spearheaded a 16-strong ‘Spirits, Wines and Beer Mission’, designed to convert significant tariff reductions into tangible export opportunities for UK drinks businesses.
From 28 October to 1 November 2025, DBT supported UK companies across two key hubs, Delhi and Mumbai. The programme combined market education, retail insights, and high-impact networking with pre-arranged buyer meetings. In Delhi, delegates engaged in seminars led by local experts and visited premium retail outlets to understand consumer trends. The mission culminated in Mumbai at ProWine, India’s largest alcoholic beverage trade show, where the UK showcased an expanded ‘GREAT Pavilion’ featuring branded stands and masterclasses that amplified the visibility of British spirits brands.
DBT provided end-to-end support, from recruitment and logistics to in-market facilitation, ensuring UK producers maximised engagement with distributors, importers, and influencers. This hands-on approach reflects DBT’s commitment to helping businesses diversify into high-growth markets and aligns with the UK Trade Strategy’s goals of leveraging Free Trade Agreements for export success.
The UK-India Free Trade Agreement delivers transformational benefits for the drinks sector. Under the deal, tariffs on spirits such as Scotch, English, Welsh and Irish Whisk(e)y, Gin, Vodka, and Rum will fall from 150% to 75% immediately, with a further reduction to 40% within ten years alongside long-term reductions to 70% for beer. These changes position UK premium drinks brands to capture significant market share in one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, where rising incomes and premiumisation trends are driving demand for high-quality products.
4. UK food & drink takes centre stage in Japan
In June 2025 DBT delivered a high-impact UK Food & Drink trade mission of 16 UK food and drink exporters to Japan, aligning with food and drink week at Osaka Expo 2025, showcasing British innovation and excellence while enabling new-to-market brands to establish export pathways.
Charlie Knockton, founder of Happy Inside and delegate on the mission commented: “DBT’s support was exceptional. We were introduced to senior grocery and distributor buyers we would never normally access, all in high-quality settings where you knew every meeting was worthwhile. Translators, cultural briefings and in-depth sessions on regulation and consumer expectations meant we could navigate a very different market with confidence.
“The store visits alone fast-tracked months of desk research. We’re now in advanced discussions with a major distributor. Entering Japan takes time, but the DBT mission accelerated everything. For small British brands, this kind of support isn’t just helpful, it’s transformational.”
5. Digital Business Growth Service powers up exporters
In July 2025, the UK Government introduced the Digital Business Growth Service together with the new business.gov.uk platform, representing a significant step forward in supporting UK businesses to start, grow, and scale.
The Digital Business Growth Service brings together tailored advice, practical tools, and direct access to government support in one place, making it easier for entrepreneurs and established firms to navigate the challenges of running and expanding a business.
At the centre of this initiative is the relaunched business.gov.uk website, which serves as a single, trusted destination for business information. The platform offers clear guidance on topics such as exporting, hiring, accessing finance, and complying with regulations. It also features a new Business Support Finder tool, allowing users to quickly identify grants, loans, and advice relevant to their needs and location.
The service was developed in close collaboration with business leaders and trade bodies to ensure it responds to real-world challenges faced by UK firms. By streamlining access to support and reducing administrative burdens, the Digital Business Growth Service and business.gov.uk are designed to help more businesses unlock their potential, drive innovation, and compete successfully both at home and abroad.
These recent successes show the strength, adaptability, and ambition of UK food and drink exporters. By harnessing government support, leveraging new trade agreements, and embracing innovation, British businesses are not only overcoming barriers but also thriving in diverse global markets. As demand for quality and authenticity continues to grow worldwide, the UK sector is well-positioned to build on these achievements and inspire more producers to pursue international opportunities.