At Trade Winds, we pride ourselves on being a top-rated UK food export company that specialises in exporting premium British food and drink products to retailers, wholesalers, and hospitality businesses worldwide.
Trade Winds is dedicated to helping American and Canadian businesses import high-quality British products with ease. We have seen the demand for British products rise in both North American markets and are proud to help importers gain access to the best that Britain has to offer.
Brands in demand
Trade Winds is seeing particular interest in the following brands and their products:
McVitie’s
McVities has been producing biscuits and cakes since 1839, when Robert McVitie opened a provision shop in Edinburgh, Scotland. The popularity of his baked goods led to the opening of more shops and the expansion of the business.
North America has a big appetite for importing McVities products. One of the most popular biscuits exported to North America is the McVitie’s Digestive, which comes in several varieties, including chocolate-coated and caramelised flavours. Moreover, the US and Canada have an appetite for Jaffa Cakes, Hobnobs, Rich Tea and Ginger Nut biscuits.
Marmite
The Marmite Food Company was born on June 13, 1902, in Burton on Trent, and a boom of love and hate started. It was initially popular with vegetarians, and in one year, Marmite had won two gold medals at the Universal Food and Cookery Exhibition and the Grocery Exhibition in 1903. During both World Wars, Marmite was a standard vitamin supplement for the troops, helping to combat the outbreak of deficiency diseases.
There are many fans of Marmite in North America who either import it or seek it out in specialty stores. If your customers are interested in procuring this much debated condiment, contact Trade Winds and enquire about how to get it sent to your location.
IRN-BRU
In 1901, AG Barr created a new carbonated soft drink in Scotland to help quench the thirst of steel workers rebuilding Glasgow Central Station. Today, it is a niched product that sees much interest in the North American market.
Importers and exporters alike should be aware that products like Marmite and Irn-Bru imported from the UK must include the Canadian compliant formulations, and not the UK-market versions.
Nurturing the Special Relationship
According to the Department for International Trade, the special relationship between the UK and the US is still warm. Total UK exports to the United States for the four quarters to the end of Q2 2022 totalled £142.3 billion.
The UK’s food and drink exports to the US have been thriving, reaching a total of £2.0 billion in 2021, making it the UK’s third-largest market for such exports. Regulatory barriers are relatively low, and tariffs are manageable.
The US market is hungry for British food products such as English sparkling wines, cheese, and gin, which are emerging categories with significant growth potential. The US is always on the lookout for high-value, differentiated, niche, and on-trend products for importing.
Opportunities and Challenges for UK Exporters to Canada
Canada is an essential market for the UK’s food and beverage export industry, with significant potential for growth. In 2020, Canada was the UK’s eighth-largest non-EU export market for food and drink, with a value of £231 million. The top UK food and beverage exports to Canada include whisky, chocolate, and beer, with increasing demand for UK cheeses and spirits.
The United Kingdom is currently trying to negotiate an upgraded free trade agreement with Canada. There is a hope that the trade barriers in the food and beverage sector will be eliminated in the coming months.
The existing UK-Canada Trade Continuity Agreement (TCA) is great news for UK food and drink businesses wanting to sell their products in Canada. It means they can get a special discount on the taxes they have to pay to sell their products in Canada. In fact, this agreement could save UK food and drink businesses up to £58 million every year on duties if utilised to its full potential. This will help UK businesses compete with other brands selling food and drink products in Canada.
“Every day is an opportunity to showcase the exceptional quality and craftsmanship that British brands are renowned for. At Trade Winds, we’re committed to sharing these premium products with consumers across the globe. We believe that British brands have a unique and unparalleled appeal that resonates with customers in North America,” said Peter van Berkum, Director at Trade Winds.
