What the New UK-EU Trade Deal Could Mean for Food & Drink – And for You 15/05/2025

What the New UK-EU Trade Deal Could Mean for Food & Drink – And for You

At The Scottish Store & Deli, we’re always keeping an eye on what’s happening behind the scenes—especially when it affects the food and drink we all love. The UK and EU are currently negotiating updates to their trade agreement, and this could bring some good news for Scottish producers, small businesses like ours, and customers like you.

Here’s what the changes could mean for the shelves of your favourite local deli—and for where we can send our products.

Easier Exporting for Scottish Producers

Since Brexit, many small food and drink makers across Scotland have faced higher costs and more paperwork when sending products to the EU. That’s meant delays, extra red tape, and in some cases, producers simply stopping exports altogether.

With new talks aiming to simplify these processes, Scottish businesses could soon find it easier and cheaper to sell abroad. That means more of our home-grown cheeses, shortbread, smoked fish, jams, and chutneys back in European shops—and more support for the local economy.

Sending Cheese, Haggis, and More to Europe

One of the most exciting potential changes? A smoother process for shipping popular Scottish foods to countries like France, Germany, Italy, and Poland. These destinations are full of customers with a love for quality food—and a growing taste for Scotland’s best.

With better trade terms, we hope to resume and expand deliveries of:

• Traditional Scottish cheeses like Isle of Mull Cheddar or Clava Brie

• Hand-sliced Scottish smoked salmon

• Award-winning black pudding and haggis

• Luxury Scottish hampers packed with all the above

We’ve heard from many of you across Europe who miss these products, and we’re optimistic this trade update will make it faster, safer, and more affordable to send our fresh and frozen goods overseas once again.

More Choice for You, the Customer

The knock-on effect? More efficient trade means fewer delays and better prices for ingredients and goods that come into the UK too. You could see more variety on our shelves, including speciality items and European favourites that have been harder to source.

At The Scottish Store & Deli, we’ll be watching these developments closely to bring you the best of both worlds: Scottish excellence and exciting European flavours.

Reduced Costs, Lower Prices

If UK producers no longer need to navigate so much red tape and can meet EU standards more easily, the savings could be passed along the chain—from makers to shops to customers. That might mean more affordable hampers, gifts, and deli items, especially for those that include cheeses, meats, and other artisan treats.

Support for Small, Local Makers

Many of the producers we work with are small, family-run businesses. A better trade deal means they can compete more fairly again in European markets, which helps them grow and gives us more delicious Scottish goods to share with you.

What’s Still Being Negotiated

Some sticky issues remain, like fishing rights and product name protections (think “Scotch whisky” or “Stornoway black pudding”). These are part of the wider negotiations, but we’re hopeful the outcomes will benefit Scottish food traditions and support our unique place in the world of fine food.

 

Updated - 15/05/2025