Paul Hill paid a visit to the Flemish region of Belgium to find out how the country’s exports to the UK are continuing to expand
Customer food requirements within foodservice have become more demanding in recent years, with quality and freshness now more important than ever, particularly in the fresh produce sector within UK wholesale.
As wholesalers continue to adapt to a post-Brexit Britain, Belgium stands out as a reliable, geographically close trading partner, with the UK notably now the fourth-largest export market for Belgium.
With delivery often possible on the same day orders are placed, Belgian fresh produce meets these demanding needs for ultra-fresh products. This short supply chain doesn’t just boost product freshness, but also enables UK wholesalers to react quickly to market trends and seasonal changes.
Promoting this cross-channel relationship is VLAM (Flanders’ Agricultural Marketing Board), an organisation committed to boosting the visibility of Flemish agricultural products. Through platforms like belgianfruitsandvegetables.eu, UK foodservice wholesalers can connect directly with certified Belgian producers– many of whom are family-run businesses – with many of these exporters even developing specific varieties tailored to British consumer preferences.
However, despite this blossoming relationship, the trade is not without its challenges. Brexit-related import regulations, including phytosanitary certificates, pre-notifications and border checks, have introduced additional administrative burdens. And while some products like apples, strawberries and carrots are exempt from certain checks, others like tomatoes, peppers and aubergines still face strict import controls.
Navigating these challenges requires cooperation and clear communication between UK wholesalers and their Belgian suppliers, who are increasing their efforts to target the wholesale sector away from just its established region of the south-east, viewing it as a high-priority growth market.
And as logistical systems adapt and trust builds across the supply chain, export volumes into wholesale is continuing to grow steadily, a trend backed by sales data for vegetables and fruits here showing continued growth since Covid-19.
