Exports of food and drink from the South West of England rose by 8% in 2017 compared with the previous 12 months, the latest HMRC figures show.
The amount of food and drink exports from the region increased to £810 million in the year up to December 2017. Best export sellers included seafood (£173 million), dairy/eggs (£149 million) and meat (£94 million).
The UK national export picture shows that total goods exports increased by 11.6% to £244.8 billion, and total food and drink exports increased by 8% to £22 billion in 2017.
One cheese business based in the South West-based which experienced this growth first-hand is based in Bruton. The family-owned business exports 40% of its wide range of mature, vintage and smoked cheeses to more than 160 countries worldwide including France and Germany.