The region’s food and drink products are continuing to prove popular around the world with exports from Yorkshire and the Humber rising by 13% year on year, to almost £1bn (£970m) according to the latest HMRC figures for the year ending March 2018.

The region’s most popular products globally were dairy products and eggs (28% increase to £75m), meat (19% increase to £161m), and beverages (14% increase to £57m).

A key market for businesses in Yorkshire and the Humber is now the Middle East which saw a 33% rise in food and drink exports during the period.

Exports were also up in North America, with sales to Canada and the US rising by 7% and 6% respectively. Japan was also a growth market, increasing by 6%, and one considered to have significant potential for British food and drink businesses.

Food and drink businesses in the region have benefitted from the Food is GREAT campaign run by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Department for International Trade (DIT) to showcase UK food and drink overseas.

Food Minister George Eustice said: “Our food is known for its high quality and great taste and there has been a huge growth in the worldwide demand for British produce.

“Through the Food is GREAT campaign the government provides invaluable support to food and drink companies in the Yorkshire and Humber so they can access foreign markets and see their businesses grow.

“I hope these latest figures – which show the success of local businesses who have branched out abroad - will encourage other firms to take the first step in their exporting journey”

With Defra and DIT’s support, food and drink businesses in the region have been able to participate in trade missions around the world, including Gulfood in Dubai and the Food and Hotel China (FHC) show in Shanghai.

Mark Robson, Head of Regions, Yorkshire and the Humber at the Department for International Trade, said: “Many Yorkshire food and drink firms, from breweries to cheesemongers and crisp makers to ice cream producers, are already benefiting from a growing overseas appetite for local produce.

“Businesses are successful in taking the leap iinto exporting when they have well-considered business plans, when they take advantage of government initiatives to help them develop relationships with buyers in new markets, and when they have a good understanding of the tariffs, regulations and logistics of their new market. These are all things that local International Trade Advisers can help with.

“There’s plenty of support on hand to help companies that are hungry to sell overseas, including 29 International Trade Advisers right here in Yorkshire and the Humber, who are ready to help firms get started.”