Standing strong in a changing global market

4 June 2025:

The UK’s recent progress in trade negotiations with the EU, USA, and India marks an exciting chapter for British agriculture. For Red Tractor members, these deals present both opportunities and important challenges as the UK’s world-leading food standards are put on the global stage.

Opportunities for export growth

With the announcement of a new EU-UK trade deal and ongoing talks with the USA and India, British farmers are poised to reach more consumers than ever before.

The EU remains the UK’s largest export market for agri-food, accounting for 68% of exports in 2024.

The new agreement establishes a Common Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Area, which will remove many of the costly and time-consuming checks currently required for UK exports into the EU. This means less paperwork, fewer export health certificates, and lower costs for Red Tractor members, helping UK products compete more effectively in European markets.

Beyond Europe, the growing middle classes in the USA and India represent huge potential for premium British food. UK food, produced to high standards of safety, welfare, and traceability, is well-placed to appeal to discerning consumers looking to ‘trade up’ to quality and British provenance. With Red Tractor assurance, British farmers can promote their products as meeting some of the world’s highest standards, offering a clear point of difference in crowded global markets and with a logo that is trademark protected in many key export markets.

Why standards matter more than ever

As new export doors open, so too does the UK market to a wider range of imported foods – some produced to standards different from our own. The UK’s regulatory system, supported by robust assurance schemes like Red Tractor, is widely recognised for its combination of strict legal requirements and independently audited farm standards.

Red Tractor: a trusted mark for members and consumers

Jim Moseley, Red Tractor CEO, comments:

Amidst these changes, the Red Tractor logo has never been more important. As the UK market is set to import more food, the logo remains a simple, highly trusted signal to UK consumers that the food they buy is British, safe, and produced to leading standards. 75% of UK adults trust the food they buy and eat here, thanks in large part to the strong standards and clear labelling that Red Tractor provides.

As the UK government negotiates trade deals, Red Tractor is calling for continued defence of UK standards and for any imports to meet the same high bar. For members, the logo is not just a mark of compliance, it is a powerful differentiator in both domestic and global markets.

Looking ahead

The coming months will see further detail emerge on the EU-UK SPS agreement and new opportunities with the US and India. Red Tractor will continue to champion members’ interests, working with government, industry, and consumers to ensure that high standards remain at the heart of British food and farming.