The top performers were non-alcoholic drinks, which surged 20.6% to £318.6M, followed closely by breakfast cereals, up by 17.2%. Fish and seafood exports grew by 15% to £1.16bn, sauces and condiments by 9.2%, and sugar confectionery by 10.9%.

FDF director general Melanie Leech said: “The EU remains the main destination for UK food and drink exports, accounting for 79.2% of overseas sales. But significant growth has been recorded outside Europe, with sales to the Oceania region up 15.9% and exports to North America jumping 14.8%.”

She added: “I am proud of the fact our sector has continued to report significant overseas success at a time when UK exports as a whole have taken a significant hit.”