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Fruit, Veg and Flower Exports in Spotlight Under UK–EU Trade Reset

  • Writer: Sarah-Jayne Gratton
    Sarah-Jayne Gratton
  • Sep 2
  • 2 min read

The Government has set out plans for a new UK–EU “reset deal”, which Farming Minister Daniel Zeichner has claimed could add over £5 billion annually to the UK economy by making trade with Europe simpler and less costly, as reported by Farmers Guardian.


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Minister Zeichner described the proposals as a step towards reducing red tape and improving competitiveness, stating: “This deal will make trading with the EU both easier and cheaper, adding over £5bn to the economy and spurring growth that the whole country will benefit from.”


Defra has suggested that the framework will allow the UK to maintain high food standards while cutting bureaucracy for exporters, with officials arguing it could help food and farming businesses protect profit margins.


However, for the fresh produce sector, the real test will be in whether the measures deliver in practice. Exporters of fruit, vegetables and cut flowers have faced some of the most significant trade frictions since Brexit, with paperwork, certification and border delays adding both cost and risk. Perishable goods, in particular, have suffered from lengthy checks and uncertainty at ports.


The government claims the reset deal will create smoother trade flows and more predictable access to European markets. Yet many in the industry remain cautious.


The Fresh Produce Consortium (FPC) has repeatedly stressed that without practical reforms at the border, promises alone will not safeguard perishable goods or reduce costs. Through its lobbying on sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) checks, the Border Target Operating Model (BTOM) and cut flower trade, FPC has called for tangible changes that ensure goods move swiftly and reliably.


For now, while the government has outlined ambitious figures and intentions, the fresh produce sector will be watching closely to see what is actually delivered, and whether it addresses the long-standing challenges that growers, importers and exporters continue to face.


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