GCC trade deal an “exciting opportunity” for UK food and drinks industry, FDF chief says
Key takeaways
- Cheese, chocolates, biscuits and smoked salmon were singled out as key beneficiaries by the UK government from the agreement with the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council.
- Total trade with the GCC – Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE – was cited in government statements as valued at £53bn, according to estimates from the Office for National Statistics.
- The deal could add a further £15.5bn in trade between the UK and the GCC, with an annual benefit to the British economy of £3.7bn once the agreement is fully implemented, the UK government says.
GCC trade deal an “exciting opportunity” for UK food and drinks industry, FDF chief says https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/news-photo/britains-minister-of-state-for-trade-chris-bryant-and-jasem-news-photo/2276698770?adppopup=true UK Minister of State for Trade Chris Bryant (centre left) and Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi (centre right) · Just Food Simon Harvey Thu, May 21, 2026 at 7:55 PM GMT+7 4 min read The UK’s food and drinks producers are set to benefit from the removal of £580m ($779m) worth of import tariffs in a trade deal struck with the GCC.
Cheese, chocolates, biscuits and smoked salmon were singled out as key beneficiaries by the UK government from the agreement with the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council.
Total trade with the GCC – Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE – was cited in government statements as valued at £53bn, according to estimates from the Office for National Statistics.