United Kingdom: Baby Food Market 2024

Baby Food Market Size in the UK

In 2021, the UK baby food market decreased by -13.5% to $X for the first time since 2017, thus ending a three-year rising trend. In general, consumption saw a noticeable descent. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of the market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Baby Food Production in the UK

In value terms, baby food production totaled $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the production volume increased by 75%. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, production remained at a lower figure.

Baby Food Exports

Exports from the UK

In 2021, shipments abroad of food preparations for infants decreased by -10.9% to X tons, falling for the second year in a row after two years of growth. Over the period under review, exports, however, saw a noticeable increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when exports increased by 111%. The exports peaked at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, baby food exports fell remarkably to $X in 2021. Overall, exports, however, showed a moderate increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when exports increased by 169% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

China (X tons), Ireland (X tons) and the Czech Republic (X tons) were the main destinations of baby food exports from the UK, together accounting for 66% of total exports. These countries were followed by Nigeria, the United Arab Emirates, Vietnam, Turkey, Cyprus, Germany and Saudi Arabia, which together accounted for a further 21%.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Vietnam (with a CAGR of +92.4%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, China ($X) remains the key foreign market for food preparations for infants exports from the UK, comprising 49% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Ireland ($X), with a 15% share of total exports. It was followed by the Czech Republic, with a 6.7% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to China stood at +12.2%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Ireland (+7.5% per year) and the Czech Republic (+0.5% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average baby food export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, shrinking by -13.4% against the previous year. Overall, export price indicated pronounced growth from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +2.8% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 an increase of 55% against the previous year. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2020, and then declined in the following year.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major export markets. In 2021, the country with the highest price was China ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Cyprus ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to the Czech Republic (+7.0%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Baby Food Imports

Imports into the UK

After three years of growth, overseas purchases of food preparations for infants decreased by -2.2% to X tons in 2021. Over the period under review, imports recorded a slight decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 26%. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, baby food imports plummeted to $X in 2021. Overall, imports continue to indicate a perceptible descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 27%. Imports peaked at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Ireland (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of baby food to the UK, accounting for a 46% share of total imports. Moreover, baby food imports from Ireland exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, France (X tons), twofold. The third position in this ranking was held by the Netherlands (X tons), with an 8.7% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume from Ireland stood at -5.2%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: France (-3.5% per year) and the Netherlands (+31.4% per year).

In value terms, Ireland ($X), the Netherlands ($X) and France ($X) were the largest baby food suppliers to the UK, with a combined 70% share of total imports.

The Netherlands, with a CAGR of +31.9%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, in terms of the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The average baby food import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, reducing by -19.2% against the previous year. Overall, the import price showed a perceptible curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when the average import price increased by 51%. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2016 to 2021, the average import prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably country of origin: the country with the highest price was Germany ($X per ton), while the price for Belgium ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by France (+9.2%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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