The summer holiday season may have meant trade was quieter, while the seasonally lower production may have also had an impact on reduced export supplies.

Year to date, trade continues to be significantly down on 2020. Volumes for most of the key categories are 20-40% lower than in Jan-Jul 2020. However, there are a couple of exceptions. Imports of fermented dairy (yogurt, buttermilk etc), are only down 2%. The milk and cream category, which includes milk crossing the Ireland/NI border for processing, has also performed better, as it is less impacted by the effects of the EU exit. Imports in this category were up 17% on the year. Exports meanwhile had been running slightly up on the year, but for Jan-Jul are now down 2%.

This week, the government has announced further delays to Import controls on goods coming in from the EU. Some of these will now start on 1 January 2022, while others are being postponed until 1 July 2022.

For UK animal products being exported to the EU, new export health certificate requirements have also been pushed back.