Defra’s network of agri-food attachés helps UK farmers and food producers get their products onto international shelves and grow their businesses overseas.
Attachés are based in British embassies and consulates. They open new markets, keep existing ones accessible, promote UK food and drink abroad, and guide businesses through export requirements.
Their work creates new opportunities for farmers and strengthens the reputation of British produce for quality, sustainability and high standards.
In this post, we explain what they do and include links for those looking to expand their international sales and find the best markets for their products.
What the attachés do
We currently have 16 agri-food attachés covering the following locations:
- China, India, South America and the Caribbean (based in Mexico and Brazil)
- the Gulf, Europe (based in France and Spain)
- South Korea, Japan, Africa (based in Morocco and South Africa)
- South East Asia (based in Thailand and Vietnam)
- Canada, the United States, Australia and New Zealand.
They work closely with colleagues across Defra, the Department for Business and Trade, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, and industry partners to open and protect markets for British producers.
So far this year, the attachés have helped resolve 41 agri-food market access barriers worth nearly £100 million a year, according to industry estimates.
Last year, Defra resolved more than a barrier a week for the first time, demonstrating the impact of an expanded attaché network.
Recent successes include securing market access for dairy to Egypt, worth £35 million per year, and pork exports to Mexico, worth £3.8 million per year.
The attachés also collaborate with the UK Agri-Tech Centre to showcase British innovation and sustainability to global audiences.
They recently secured access for UK sheep and goat genetic material to Kenya’s livestock market, building on earlier success in beef, bovine and poultry genetics exports.
According to industry estimates, UK breeding stock now makes up about 70% of the world’s poultry.
Earlier this month, the attachés met farmers, processors and industry bodies from across the country. They discussed opportunities for the sector and deepened their understanding of the barriers they face.
From mead to dairy, producers shared their experiences and insights into where UK food and drink have the potential to thrive overseas.
These conversations help attachés represent British farming interests in global markets. They also help them tackle barriers and spot new opportunities.
Learn more about growing your exports
If you're a farmer or food producer looking to grow your exports, we encourage you to visit the Business Growth Service.
The site provides a range of tools, guidance, and support to help you sell abroad and identify the best markets for your products.
This includes access to the UK Export Academy, a free training programme designed to help UK businesses expand their international sales.
Defra’s agri-food attachés and the Business Growth Service will work together to help UK producers navigate export requirements and overcome barriers. We hope this partnership will help them make the most of global opportunities.
The 
6 comments
Comment by Rob Yorke posted on
great
ps but please update your Instagram post on the spelling of the correct *whisky* geographical designation https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQwr43MikJl/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Comment by Sarah Stewart posted on
Hi Rob,
Thanks for flagging. Whisky/whiskey can trip some people up. I’ve passed this on to Defra’s social media team.
Sarah
Comment by Dan posted on
At a time where nature in this country is at breaking point and needs some form of relief from the onslaught of modern farming (such as industrialised, chemical-ridden, polluting dairy farms), the government have decided it's a good idea to subsidise/promote these damaging industries to overseas markets.
Comment by The Team posted on
Hi Dan,
Thank you for your comment. We know that restoring nature and improving the environment must go hand in hand with supporting a productive farming sector.
UK food and farming standards are among the highest in the world. Through our schemes and grants, we’re supporting farmers to adopt sustainable practices, for example, improving soil health, cutting inputs, increasing biodiversity and reducing pollution.
There is already a lot of good work happening on farms to reduce emissions. Dairy farmers, for example, can improve nutrient management, adopt low-input grazing systems, upgrade slurry handling, and consider using methane-suppressing feeds.
When the attachés promote UK agriculture overseas, these high standards are what they highlight: from animal welfare and our environmental protections to product quality.
We’ll keep working across the system, with environmental groups, farmers, land managers and scientists, to ensure our policies support nature’s recovery and a sustainable, competitive farming sector.
Best wishes,
The Team
Comment by Matthew Fletcher posted on
Can you share examples of your Attache team's successes - may provide inspiration for farmers / food producers in the UK.
Is there some kind of 'callout' system where the Trade team can request info from interested UK producers?
There's often some quid pro quo - I would urge the attaches to look at opportunities to supply UK producers with seed / ingredients / processing equipment that could be helpful to UK companies?
What are your plans for covering Central Asia, Caucasus, Levant & Turkey?
Thanks, Matthew
Comment by The Team posted on
Hi Matthew,
Thanks for getting in touch. Recent success of the attachés includes securing Geographical Indicator (GI) status for Scotch Whisky in Argentina, access to UK Pork to Mexico’s rapidly expanding market, access to UK dairy exports to Egypt and genetics access for UK’s sheep and goat breeders to Kenya’s estimated 46 million-strong livestock market. Please let us know if there are any sectors or regions that you’re interested in and we could look to provide more examples.
We regularly communicate barrier wins to industry and communicate extensively with businesses who report barriers, relevant industry bodies and via trade media to raise awareness of opportunities. Companies can report a barrier using the following link: https://www.business.gov.uk/report-trade-barrier/
Our attachés’ remit focuses primarily on UK exports but does also include developing relationships with countries to enable imports to support UK food security as well as being part of supporting UK agri-tech. Please let us know if there are specific issues or opportunities in your sector.
In terms of the network’s coverage of Central Asia, Caucasus, Levant & Turkey. We regularly review the network for effectiveness and coverage to support UK exports. Turkey is covered by our Southern Europe attaché.
Best wishes,
The Team