< Previous10 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net IMPORT AND EXPORT A s complex certification and increased costs continue to harm trade for the UK’s food industry post-Brexit, and consumers reflect on a year of food shortages and price rises, currently compounded by the drought on the Panama Canal, there are yet more challenges on the horizon for the country’s importers and exporters. One such challenge is the delayed post-Brexit controls on imports into Britain from the EU, which are slated to be finally introduced from 31 January under the government’s Border Target Operating Model, causing concern of EU companies becoming less willing to work with the UK. Meanwhile government proposals for mandatory ‘Not for EU’ labels on products sold on the British market could see damage to exports to the EU and create significant additional costs for businesses. This is particularly the case for small and medium-sized enterprises, which represent 97% of the UK’s food and drink manufacturers, and those looking to expand their Struggling to succeed Marred by Brexit and subsequent global shocks, with a pandemic and wars, concerns continue to grow for the UK’s food and drink exports. Food & Drink International 11 www.fdiforum.net IMPORT AND EXPORT © stock.adobe.com/studio v-zwoelf business through exporting, who will be faced with extra costs to introduce separate production lines for goods to be sold in the EU, including Ireland, and Britain. Furthermore, as noted by the Food and Drink Federation (FDF), for those already exporting, additional costs associated with this change may make it too expensive to justify selling abroad and see some firms halt exporting. Balwinder Dhoot, director of industrial growth and sustainability, said: “The planned introduction of ‘Not for EU’ labelling will create a new barrier to trading with our largest export markets in Europe and poses a significant risk to exports. We urge the government to work with industry to come up with a solution that does not impede our export capabilities.” On the situation for imports Dhoot added: “Imports play an important role in our food supply…. There is room to improve processes further through improving duty suspensions, no more delays to the border target operating model, as well as the continuation of the government’s FTA (free trade agreement) programme.” These concerns come as new data from the FDF reveals UK food and drink businesses are struggling to maintain growth in the export market. Released in December, the Q3 Trade Snapshot report, covering the period of January – September 2023, found that in Q3 the sector had a total export value of £6.2 billion, falling 5.5.% when compared year on year. While there was growth in the value of many of the UK’s top food and drink 12 Á12 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net IMPORT AND EXPORT export products, high inflation and the shocks of COVID-19, Brexit and the invasion of Ukraine has seen the volume for many key products such as beef (- 20%), chocolate (-15.8%) and breakfast cereals (-13.4%) drop sharply. The report shows Ireland continues to be the UK’s biggest export market, with year-to- date sales rising by 6.9% to £3 billion. However in the same period there has been a fall in growth for most of the country’s major trading partners including France, the US and the Netherlands. The report also indicates that imports have held firm, increasing 3.6%, led by growth from European markets, with fruit remaining the UK’s largest import, despite a 7% decrease in volume driven by declining apple (- 16.8%), orange (-18.2%) and melon (- 18.6%) imports. Nicola Thomas, director at the Food and Drink Export Association, said: “UK Food and Drink exporters continue to face stiff supply chain and inflationary challenges, coupled with domestic pressures which have shifted focus away from overseas markets for some. Conversely however, we are also seeing that those same domestic pressures are highlighting the risks of operating solely in the home market and, along with the new FTAs on the horizon, are encouraging other industry players to start exporting as a route to future growth.” Fortunately the future is not all negative, with conversations underway for new and improved trade agreements. As discussions continue with markets such as India and the Gulf Cooperation Council, talks have been launched on a modernised trade deal with South Korea. The 13th largest economy in the world, South Korea’s import demand is set to increase quickly. With 45 million middle class consumers and an import market expected to expand by 45% by 2035, there are major opportunities for UK companies. The UK’s trade with Korea has more than doubled since the original FTA was negotiated. The talks follow the UK securing a two-year extension to rules helping British companies access lower or zero tariffs when selling goods to South Korea, coming as welcome news for businesses who can continue to avoid high tariffs imposed by South Korea on products entering the country. Balwinder Dhoot said: “This is welcome news for food and drink manufacturers and gives continued certainty to exporters until a new and ambitious agreement is negotiated. This will help businesses to export more products and ensures continued flexibility to use seasonal imported ingredients that complement our industry’s use of domestic produce.” Similarly, the UK recently secured an extension to arrangements helping British manufacturers access lower or zero tariffs when selling their products to Mexico. Coming into effect from 1 January 2024, the arrangements will remain in place until a new UK-Mexico Free Trade Agreement enters into force (for which negotiations were launched in May 2022). The deal helps UK businesses to continue avoiding high tariffs imposed by Mexico and maintain their competitive edge in the market. The 14th largest economy in the world and second biggest in Latin America, Mexico’s demand for imports is forecast to grow by 42% between 2021 and 2035 as its economy expands. With a population of over 130 million people, its market is larger than France and Italy combined. Securing new and improved FTAs will be particularly important with priorly agreed trade deals coming under fire for delivering much less benefit than originally predicted. There is also sector-specific work being done to enhance exports from the UK. The government has announced a new programme to boost the dairy industry’s exports, helping agri-businesses grow by seizing new opportunities and exploiting overseas markets for their products through a comprehensive package of support. The Dairy Export Programme includes a range of education sessions, an inward buyer trade mission and a UK Dairy Showcase. Specialist resource in priority markets dedicated to supporting dairy exports and market intelligence support to help businesses exploit overseas opportunities will be provided too.Food & Drink International 13 www.fdiforum.net IMPORT AND EXPORT © stock.adobe.com/glebcallfives © stock.adobe.com/DorSteffen14 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net HEALTH, SAFETY AND HYGIENE SPOTLIGHT sound HygienicallyFood & Drink International 15 www.fdiforum.net HEALTH, SAFETY AND HYGIENE SPOTLIGHT Recent hygiene scares and heightened consumer attention are forcing manufacturers to pay more attention than ever before to how safely and cleanly their plants operate. I n the realm of food production, maintaining hygiene is of paramount importance to safeguard consumer health and ensure the production of safe, high-quality packaged food. Adhering to strict hygiene practices during the manufacturing process is essential to prevent contamination, bacterial growth, and the transmission of foodborne illnesses. Since the Covid-19 pandemic, consumers expect higher food safety standards than ever before. This article aims to provide a handy end to end guide on how to keep packaged food hygienic throughout the manufacturing process, encompassing various stages from raw material handling to packaging. Proper planning and procedure are needed at every stage when handling food in order to prevent the spread of harmful microorganisms, reduce the 16 Á © stock.adobe.com/Parilov16 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net HEALTH, SAFETY AND HYGIENE SPOTLIGHT risk of foodborne illness, or simply to ensure the high quality and reputation of your product. The first step should always be to wash your hands, and to ensure that all staff and operatives do the same. It’s something we often do – or perhaps even skip – without thinking about why it’s important, but as a way of preventing the spread of bad bacteria or viruses, it’s invaluable when done correctly. A cleaning plan can never be too detailed, as every piece of information made available to a nominated cleaner means fewer areas for confusion or error. Take the time to set out a systematic checklist of all necessary cleaning tasks, including floors and the outside surfaces of any machinery. These can then be scaled on a case- by-case basis in terms of how often they need to be performed, from monthly or weekly to after each use of a surface. When all tasks have been allotted a timescale, each one can be assigned to an individual or team according to their skills and availability. This flow of consideration will help create a schedule that covers all bases, while being realistic and as efficient as possible based on your business’s valuable resources. Communicate rotas to all relevant team members, keeping everyone up to speed on the tasks they’re responsible for. It’s also a good idea to arrange and provide for up-to-date training on proper cleaning techniques and procedures. Wherever possible, ensure staff are in the loop and feel comfortable expressing potential improvements, or changes Food & Drink International 17 www.fdiforum.net HEALTH, SAFETY AND HYGIENE SPOTLIGHT © stock.adobe.com/elnariz that may be needed on a functional level. Remaining open to adjustments is a must in upholding hygiene, particularly when there may be changes to the layout of a factory floor, or additions or upgrades to machinery which require cleaning procedure to be reassessed. One of the worst scenarios to risk is cross-contamination between different food products. If not kept separate, raw meat and its juices can come into contact with any other product currently in production. Having specific equipment for raw animal products, including poultry, seafood and eggs, is the most effective way to prevent this risk, along with ensuring separate preparation areas are used for raw and cooked foods. Then it’s time to go back to that cleaning rota you drew up so carefully for the task of sanitising every surface these animal products have touched. Even before any processing of raw products of animal origin can take place, storage must be factored in to keep them away from other foods, and prevent any bacteria already present from multiplying or causing spoilage. Perishable items like these should be kept frozen, or refrigerated between - 2 and 2 degrees Celsius, and kept at a stable temperature until they’re needed for processing and cooking. You may also use a first in, first out or FIFO technique and use the oldest products in storage first. Not only will this prevent food waste, but it will also ensure no products are left to become a greater contamination risk as they move through the production line. 18 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net CARTONING AND SLEEVING C artons and sleeves are indispensable in food and drink for their versatility, ease of manufacture and recyclability. These packaging mainstays play many multifaceted and interconnected roles, blending functionality with an eco-conscious design. At the core of their significance lies the fundamental role of cartons and sleeves as bastions of product integrity. Think of the diverse array of foods we use everyday – from trays of ready meals to snacks, desserts, dairy, and canned fish. The protection these packaging types offer ensure the safe delivery of items, maintaining their freshness, and upholding the quality of the contents. Different materials play a strategic role in tailoring the protective features of cartons and sleeves to suit the specific needs of various foods. For instance, perishable items such as fresh produce and dairy are often shielded by cartons constructed with barrier coatings. These coatings act as defences against external elements, preserving the freshness of the contents and extending shelf life. In the case of ready-to-eat meals and snacks, cartons with insulating properties ensure that temperature-sensitive items maintain their optimal conditions during transportation, promising consumers a satisfying and delicious dining experience. The adaptability of cartons and sleeves to the diverse requirements of different foods showcases their diverse usefulness in the packaging realm. Whether it’s safeguarding the crispness of vegetables, preserving the creaminess of dairy products, or ensuring the temperature stability of ready-to-eat meals, the strategic use of materials underscores the versatility of these packaging types in catering to the nuanced needs of a broad spectrum of consumables. All this potential for adaptable protection means that, in the essential context of health and safety, cartons Myriad benefits Food and Drink International explores the many customer-friendly functions of cartons and sleeves, shedding light on their pivotal importance in product protection, information dissemination, and how they work to preserve consumer health and food safety. Food & Drink International 19 www.fdiforum.net CARTONING AND SLEEVING © stock.adobe.com/abu and sleeves are often frontline defenders. Their design not only protects from contaminants, but also contributes to tamper-evident packaging solutions. They prevent leakage and unauthorised access, easing the transportation of perishable goods, and ensuring nothing stops them reaching consumers in top condition. The use of biodegradable materials in cartons and sleeves also aligns with an equally crucial industry commitment to sustainability. These eco-friendly alternatives not only provide protective functionality but also contribute to reducing environmental impact. As the food and beverage landscape evolves, the thoughtful selection and combination of materials in carton and sleeve design continue to shape the industry, ensuring that different foods are not just protected, but presented in an eco-conscious and consumer- friendly manner. As the industry progresses, the continued exploration and application of innovative materials hold potential to elevate the role of cartons and sleeves in an ever- expanding array of food and beverage products, boosting the eco-friendliness of their contents. Beyond their protective duties, cartons and sleeves are vital carriers of information. The expansive surfaces of these packaging components provide an ideal canvas for product details, nutritional information, and captivating visuals. In a market saturated with choices, they contribute to guiding consumer decisions, fostering brand transparency, and building trust. From enticing graphics to essential facts, cartons and sleeves serve as communication hubs, engaging consumers and enriching their overall experience. While sharing the informative essentials, many companies rightly make the most of the platform cartons and sleeves offer for brand expression and customisation. With advancements 20 ÁNext >