## Company Profile Perishable Movement Ltd (GB) — freight forwarder focused on perishable cargo. Lead data: UK-based freight forwarder (contact: quotations@pml-ltd.com; contact page: https://pml-ltd.com/contact). No public scale metrics found in lead file. Based on category and company name, the firm appears to specialise in chilled/refrigerated handling for fresh produce and other perishables, offering air/sea/road forwarding and quotation services to UK importers and exporters. Likely a small-to-medium UK specialist serving supermarket suppliers, wholesalers and produce importers who need temperature-controlled transport and time-critical clearance. ## Pain Points 1) Border & inspection friction: The UK’s Border Target Operating Model (BTOM) and phased SPS checks (post‑Brexit) create uncertainty and a real risk of increased documentary checks or physical inspections for fruit & vegetables. That raises the probability of dwell time at Border Control Posts (BCPs), cold‑chain breaks and spoilage for ultra‑fresh cargo (berries, leafy salad, etc.). 2) Capacity & cost volatility: Elevated air cargo demand (record CTKs in 2025), periodic tightness on short‑haul perishables lanes (North Africa–UK) and continued structural cost floor on sea reefer rates (ETS pass‑through, Red Sea rerouting) create spot rate spikes and equipment availability issues for UK–EU and UK–North/West Africa corridors. This makes pricing, booking and guaranteed arrival windows harder to promise to importers. 3) Documentation & compliance burden: Importers now face overlapping customs, pre‑notifications and phytosanitary certification requirements. Quality of documentation and pre‑clearance directly determines whether a consignment is selected for inspection. Smaller forwarders and their SME clients struggle with consistently perfect pre‑clearance, remote telemetry/temperature evidence, and contingency routing to BCPs with adequate chilled capacity. ## Intel Summary === MULTI-DIMENSION RESEARCH === === 1. COMMODITY TRENDS – UK FRESH PRODUCE IMPORTS/EXPORTS (FRUIT, VEGETABLES, BERRIES, LEAFY GREENS) === **Overall food & fresh produce trade context (latest structured data)** - Total UK food, feed and drink imports reached **£64.1bn in 2024**, up **5% vs 2023** and **36% above 2018** in current prices. Within this, **“Vegetables and fruit” was the single largest import group at £14.45bn in 2024**.([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/uk-trade-in-food-feed-and-drink/uk-trade-in-food-feed-and-drink?utm_source=openai)) - UK food and drink import volumes in 2025 reached **38.5bn kg**, up **2.5% vs 2024** and **13.1% vs 2023**, indicating continued volume growth even after the 2022–23 inflation spike.([fdf.org.uk](https://www.fdf.org.uk/globalassets/resources/publications/reports/trade-reports/2025-trade-snapshot.pdf?utm_source=openai)) **Fruit & vegetable imports – volumes and values (up to 2024, latest horticulture stats)** Defra’s *Horticulture Statistics 2024* is the most granular recent dataset for fresh produce:([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/latest-horticulture-statistics/horticulture-statistics-2024?utm_source=openai)) - **Vegetable imports (all veg, including leafy & salad veg):** - **2024 volume:** just under **2.2m tonnes**, **+5.6% vs 2023**. - **2024 value:** **£3.2bn**, **+3.1% vs 2023**. - **Fruit imports:** - 2024 figures show continued dominance of imports; UK is structurally import‑dependent for fruit (domestic production covers only a minority of demand, with citrus, berries in off‑season, grapes, melons, etc. nearly all imported). The report highlights that fruit imports by value significantly exceed vegetable imports, consistent with the £14.45bn “vegetables and fruit” total above.([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/latest-horticulture-statistics/horticulture-statistics-2024?utm_source=openai)) While 2025‑26 disaggregated tonnage by product is not yet published, Defra and FDF data on **total food imports** and HMRC trend monitoring indicate that fruit and veg volumes rose again in 2025, with **non‑EU plant product imports by net mass up 11.6% between 2023–24** for “food and crops.”([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/plant-health-international-trade-and-controlled-consignments-2020-2024-statistics-publication/plant-health-international-trade-and-controlled-consignments-2020-2024-statistics-publication?utm_source=openai)) **Origin shifts – EU vs non‑EU and regional patterns** - Defra/FSA’s *Our Food 2024* review notes that the **top 10 countries supplying UK food and feed were unchanged in 2024**, still dominated by **EU27 plus a few major non‑EU suppliers**.([food.gov.uk](https://www.food.gov.uk/sites/default/files/media/document/Our-Food-2024.pdf?utm_source=openai)) - Plant health trade statistics show that **non‑EU plant and plant product imports (including fruit & veg) increased in net mass by 11.6% between 2023 and 2024**, after several years of decline.([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/plant-health-international-trade-and-controlled-consignments-2020-2024-statistics-publication/plant-health-international-trade-and-controlled-consignments-2020-2024-statistics-publication?utm_source=openai)) - This indicates a **modest shift towards non‑EU origins** for plant commodities, consistent with UK efforts to diversify away from EU dependence (greater volumes from Morocco, Egypt, South Africa, West Africa, Latin America), though EU still provides the majority of fresh produce. - The *UK Import Trends Monitor* up to Sept 2025 flags sharp increases for some plant‑product tariff lines: e.g. certain vegetable categories showed **>4,000% increases in import volumes** from specific origins year‑on‑year (albeit from a low base), suggesting **new or rapidly scaling supply routes**.([assets.publishing.service.gov.uk](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/695e2cdc11989e7ef067190b/UK_Import_Trends_Monitor_up_to_30_September_2025.pdf?utm_source=openai)) For **berries and leafy greens specifically**: - Trade is highly seasonal: EU (Spain, Netherlands, Italy) plus Morocco and Egypt dominate **winter/early‑spring** soft fruit, salad and leafy veg; UK domestic supply is strongest in **late spring–summer**. This pattern remains post‑Brexit; 2023–24 weather‑driven crop issues in Spain and Morocco temporarily tightened supply and pushed prices up, but 2025 has seen **more normal seasonal availability**, allowing some easing in wholesale prices. (Inference based on Defra horticulture and trade volumes combined with industry commentary; highly product‑specific transactional data are not yet aggregated for 2025–26.)([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/latest-horticulture-statistics/horticulture-statistics-2024?utm_source=openai)) **Price levels and movements (borderline 90‑day window but most recent official data)** - FSA’s *Our Food 2024* (using ONS and HMRC) shows that **food import volumes grew while import prices stabilised/softened in 2024**, after the 2022–23 spike. For fruit and veg specifically, a combination of: - easing global freight costs from 2023 highs, - some sterling recovery, and - improved growing conditions vs 2022 contributed to **flat to slightly lower landed unit values** for several fresh produce categories in 2024.([food.gov.uk](https://www.food.gov.uk/sites/default/files/media/document/Our-Food-2024.pdf?utm_source=openai)) - The **UK Import Trends Monitor (to Sept 2025)** tracks per‑unit import prices and flags categories with notable changes; several fruit/veg HS codes show **declining per‑unit values in 2024–25 despite higher tonnage**, implying **downward pressure on import unit prices** (partly due to improved supply and freight normalization).([assets.publishing.service.gov.uk](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/695e2cdc11989e7ef067190b/UK_Import_Trends_Monitor_up_to_30_September_2025.pdf?utm_source=openai)) **Seasonality considerations for 2026 planning** Given the structural import dependence and these recent data, for 2026 you should assume: - **Winter (Dec–Mar):** heavy reliance on **Spain, Morocco, Egypt and the Netherlands** for salad leaves, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, berries; logistics or SPS disruption on these lanes would directly affect UK shelves. - **Spring–summer:** higher UK output of berries and leafy veg, but imports still fill gaps and shoulder seasons; **EU and North African volumes remain critical** for continuity and for categories not widely grown in the UK (certain stonefruit, table grapes, citrus). - **Trend:** slight **rebalancing from EU to non‑EU origin share** on some lines, but not a wholesale shift: EU remains the main supplier in value and volume terms through at least 2025.([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/uk-trade-in-food-feed-and-drink/uk-trade-in-food-feed-and-drink?utm_source=openai)) **Sources for this section:** Defra *Horticulture Statistics 2024*; Defra *UK Trade in Food, Feed and Drink*; FSA *Our Food 2024*; Defra *Plant Health – international trade 2020–2024*; FDF *Trade Snapshot 2025*; Defra *UK Import Trends Monitor*.([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/latest-horticulture-statistics/horticulture-statistics-2024?utm_source=openai)) === 2. MARKET EVENTS – 2026 AIR CARGO & SEA REEFER CAPACITY, UK–EU & UK–NORTH/WEST AFRICA; FREIGHT RATE TRENDS === **Global air cargo backdrop entering 2026** - IATA reports that **global air cargo demand in 2025 reached record volumes**, with **CTKs up 11.3% year‑on‑year** and capacity up **8.7%**. European carriers held **21.4% market share of global cargo traffic**, African carriers **2.1%**, with African carriers posting **6% y/y demand growth in 2025**.([iata.org](https://www.iata.org/en/pressroom/2026-releases/2026-01-29-01/?utm_source=openai)) - Higher demand plus structurally higher fuel and security costs (Red Sea, Middle East risk) are keeping **airfreight yields elevated vs pre‑COVID**, even though bellyhold capacity has largely recovered. **Implications for perishables into the UK (Europe / N & W Africa lanes)** - Record global volumes and high load factors mean that on **short‑haul lanes (e.g., Morocco–UK, Egypt–UK, Kenya–EU–UK routings)** air cargo remains **tight during peaks (Dec–Mar for veg & berries, Easter/Ramadan overlaps)**. Perishable shippers can expect: - **Priority given to higher‑yield pharma/express over low‑yield fresh produce**, unless long‑term block‑space agreements are in place. - **Spot rate spikes of 20–40% above contract levels** during weather/harvest disruptions or sudden demand surges (inferred from IATA growth data and current forwarder commentary).([iata.org](https://www.iata.org/en/pressroom/2026-releases/2026-01-29-01/?utm_source=openai)) **Sea reefer container availability – Europe/Africa trades (2025–26)** - Drewry’s reefer market analysis (latest publicly available) showed that by late 2023 the **Global Reefer Container Freight Rate Index fell 37% y/y to about $4,065 per 40ft** after the post‑COVID spike, and forecast **a gradual return to a long‑term downward rate trend** as a glut of new containership capacity entered service.([drewry.co.uk](https://www.drewry.co.uk/maritime-research-opinion-browser/maritime-research-opinions/reefer-shipping-rates-rise-to-be-temporary-as-excess-capacity-plugs-gaps?utm_source=openai)) - However, **EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) costs on voyages to/from European ports** began to ramp up in 2024 and will reach **100% emissions coverage in 2026**, which is expected to add **a structural cost floor** to all container rates, with reefer trades particularly exposed because they are energy‑intensive.([drewry.co.uk](https://www.drewry.co.uk/maritime-research-opinion-browser/maritime-research-opinions/reefer-shipping-rates-rise-to-be-temporary-as-excess-capacity-plugs-gaps?utm_source=openai)) - DHL’s *Ocean Reefer Market Update Q2 2025* notes **regional reefer equipment imbalances**, with **shortages reported in export‑heavy regions (e.g. parts of South America) and operational challenges linked to Red Sea rerouting**, but **healthy overall global reefer capacity** due to large newbuild deliveries. For **Africa–Europe** it highlights continued ETS cost pass‑through pressures and schedule disruptions from Suez diversions.([dhl.com](https://www.dhl.com/content/dam/dhl/global/dhl-global-forwarding/documents/pdf/dhl-dgf-ofr-reefer-market-update.pdf?utm_source=openai)) For **UK–Europe and UK–North/West Africa** this translates into: - **Equipment availability:** - Generally **adequate reefer box supply at North European hubs** (Rotterdam, Antwerp‑Bruges, Hamburg) and UK mainports, but **periodic tightness at smaller UK ports** and **origin ports in North/West Africa** when citrus/veg export peaks overlap (e.g., Morocco, Egypt, South Africa, West African mango/cashew seasons).([dhl.com](https://www.dhl.com/content/dam/dhl/global/dhl-global-forwarding/documents/pdf/dhl-dgf-ofr-reefer-market-update.pdf?utm_source=openai)) - **Schedule reliability & transit times:** - Continued **Red Sea avoidance on Asia–Europe trunk routes** adds **7–10 days to Asia–Europe sailings**, absorbing some global capacity and constraining flexibility; S&P and Freightos analysis suggests this has helped keep **global FEU rates at a higher floor of ~$3,000–5,000/FEU** for East–West trades than pre‑crisis.([spglobal.com](https://www.spglobal.com/commodity-insights/en/news-research/latest-news/shipping/010825-container-quarterly-bearish-sentiment-into-new-year-amid-volatile-q4?utm_source=openai)) - For **North/West Africa–UK**, the main physical routing avoids Suez, but **knock‑on effects from global capacity re‑allocation and ETS cost pass‑through** still support higher rates than 2019. **Freight rate trends into 2026 (most recent cross‑market evidence)** - Hapag‑Lloyd’s FY 2024 report: **average global freight rate ~USD 1,492/TEU in 2024**, essentially flat vs 2023 (**‑0.6%**), reflecting a near‑balanced global supply‑demand after the 2022 surge.([financialreports.eu](https://financialreports.eu/filings/hapag-lloyd-ag/management-reports/2025/10227292/?utm_source=openai)) - S&P Global’s Q4 2024 container outlook shows: - Strong volatility on Asia–Europe with **spot rates sliding to ~$2,900/FEU then rebounding to ~$4,000/FEU** by October 2024 due to **blank sailings** and capacity management.([spglobal.com](https://www.spglobal.com/commodity-insights/en/news-research/latest-news/shipping/010825-container-quarterly-bearish-sentiment-into-new-year-amid-volatile-q4?utm_source=openai)) - Freightos’ late‑2025 and May‑2026 updates (global, not UK‑specific) indicate: - An **elevated baseline** of container freight rates due to Red Sea rerouting and fuel/security surcharges. - In 2024, **Asia–Europe rates temporarily reached $8,000–10,000/FEU** during the worst of the Suez diversions, then settled to a floor of **$3,000–5,000/FEU** during low demand periods.([reddit.com](https://www.reddit.com/r/zim/comments/1p6jo8v/freightos_weekly_update_november_25_2025_excerpt/?utm_source=openai)) - Into 2026, as peak season approaches, **additional general rate increases (GRIs) have been announced**, but market observers doubt carriers can fully sustain them due to fleet overcapacity; nonetheless, **price volatility remains high**.([reddit.com](https://www.reddit.com/r/zim/comments/1ti4x5c/freightos_weekly_update_may_19_2026_excerpts/?utm_source=openai)) **Specific implications for fresh produce shippers (UK–EU, UK–North/West Africa, 2026 planning)** - **Airfreight:** - Sufficient bellyhold capacity on UK–EU, UK–Mediterranean lanes, but competition from e‑commerce and pharma keeps **per‑kg rates above pre‑COVID norms**; ad hoc perishables moves in Q1 and Q4 2026 should budget for **premium surcharges, especially ex‑North Africa** (short but high‑yield lanes).([iata.org](https://www.iata.org/en/pressroom/2026-releases/2026-01-29-01/?utm_source=openai)) - **Sea reefer:** - Structural **overcapacity in global container shipping + newbuild deliveries** → generally **better access to reefer slots**, but: - ETS compliance costs on Europe‑linked services, - CAPEX on more efficient reefers, and - Red Sea security rerouting keep a **cost floor that is materially higher than 2019**, despite spot rate dips.([drewry.co.uk](https://www.drewry.co.uk/maritime-research-opinion-browser/maritime-research-opinions/reefer-shipping-rates-rise-to-be-temporary-as-excess-capacity-plugs-gaps?utm_source=openai)) - For 2026 contracts, buyers should consider **index‑linked or formula‑based BAF/ETS surcharges** and **reefer priority clauses** on UK–North/West Africa lanes to manage volatility and ensure plug availability. **Sources for this section:** IATA air cargo data 2025; Drewry reefer freight analysis; DHL *Ocean Reefer Market Update Q2 2025*; Hapag‑Lloyd 2024 management report; S&P Global container market Q4 2024; Freightos 2025–26 weekly updates.([financialreports.eu](https://financialreports.eu/filings/hapag-lloyd-ag/management-reports/2025/10227292/?utm_source=openai)) === 3. PROBLEM FRAMING – 2026 UK POST‑BREXIT CUSTOMS, SPS/PHYTOSANITARY RULES & BORDER DELAYS FOR PERISHABLES === **Regulatory framework: Border Target Operating Model (BTOM)** - The UK’s **Border Target Operating Model (BTOM)** is the post‑Brexit framework for **Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) controls** on imports of animals, animal products, plants and plant products, including fresh fruit & vegetables. It shifts to a **risk‑based approach (high/medium/low risk)** and introduces **import controls on EU food and feed for the first time**, notably for plant products that were previously waved through.([food.gov.uk](https://www.food.gov.uk/board-papers/border-target-operating-model-update?navref=quicklink&utm_source=openai)) - The original BTOM timetable envisaged: - **31 Jan 2024:** introduction of documentary and some physical checks for medium‑risk animal and plant products from the EU (non‑perishable and perishable). - **From Oct 2024:** increased live‑animal controls and full BCP operations.([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-border-target-operating-model-draft-for-feedback/the-border-target-operating-model-draft-for-feedback-html?trk=public_post_comment-text&utm_source=openai)) - However, **fruit & vegetable checks were repeatedly delayed** due to concerns over inflation and border disruption: - A Scottish Government briefing (Aug 2024) confirms an easement where **import checks on fruit and vegetables from the EU classified as “low risk” were postponed from 31 Oct 2024 to 1 July 2025**, explicitly citing the risk of supply disruption and food price inflation.([parliament.scot](https://www.parliament.scot/-/media/files/committees/rural-affairs-and-islands-committee/correspondence/2024/uksi-official-controls-extension-of-transitional-periods-etc-29-august-2024.pdf?utm_source=openai)) - The Food Policy Institute (April 2026) notes that **UK Government has considered further delaying some EU food import checks**, particularly for **“medium‑risk” fruit and vegetables**, again because of concerns that port delays and costs could exacerbate food inflation.([foodpolicy.uk](https://www.foodpolicy.uk/news/should-eu-food-import-checks-be-delayed?utm_source=openai)) **Practical impact on perishable clearance & cold chain (2020–2024 evidence)** - Defra’s **Plant Health – international trade** statistics show that from 2020–24, **controlled plant health consignments** (including fruit, veg, cut flowers) required certification and inspection; volumes of non‑EU imports increased in 2023–24, implying more consignments subject to PHSI inspection.([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/plant-health-international-trade-and-controlled-consignments-2020-2024-statistics-publication/plant-health-international-trade-and-controlled-consignments-2020-2024-statistics-publication?utm_source=openai)) - Industry and policy commentary around BTOM consistently highlight the **risk of:** - **Extended dwell times at Border Control Posts (BCPs)** for mixed‑load trucks carrying perishable F&V when documentary errors or inspection queues occur. - **Increased spoilage** due to even **1–4 hours of additional waiting** for temperature‑sensitive items (berries, leafy greens). - **Capacity constraints at some BCPs** (limited reefer plugs, limited temperature‑controlled examination facilities).([foodpolicy.uk](https://www.foodpolicy.uk/news/should-eu-food-import-checks-be-delayed?utm_source=openai)) **Key friction points for fresh produce in 2026** 1. **Documentation & risk classification** - Importers must navigate **overlapping requirements**: customs declarations (HMRC), SPS pre‑notifications, phytosanitary certificates (for higher‑risk plants/plant products), and, where applicable, health certificates.([reddit.com](https://www.reddit.com/r/u_Total-Measurement551/comments/1sd0ny4/importing_fresh_fruit_and_vegetables_into_the_uk/?utm_source=openai)) - Fruit and veg are generally **“low” or “medium” risk** under BTOM, but classification can change with new pest or disease findings, adding uncertainty and the potential for sudden tightening of checks. 2. **Border Control Posts (BCPs) & inspection regimes** - BTOM centralizes SPS checks at designated **BCPs near ports**. For EU produce entering via roll‑on/roll‑off ports (Dover, Eurotunnel, etc.), this introduces **a new inspection step vs pre‑Brexit frictionless trade**.([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-border-target-operating-model-draft-for-feedback/the-border-target-operating-model-draft-for-feedback-html?trk=public_post_comment-text&utm_source=openai)) - Infrastructure is uneven: some BCPs are well‑equipped with chilled inspection bays and adequate reefer plugs; others have limited capacity, raising the risk of **queuing and temporary loss of temperature control** for loads awaiting inspection. 3. **Policy volatility and “stop‑start” implementation** - Multiple delays and partial roll‑outs (e.g., animal products vs plant products) have created **planning uncertainty** for growers, exporters, and logistics providers. The Food Policy Institute (Apr 2026) notes sustained concern from importers that **last‑minute rule changes** increase operational risk and compliance costs.([foodpolicy.uk](https://www.foodpolicy.uk/news/should-eu-food-import-checks-be-delayed?utm_source=openai)) - Some commentary (e.g., in UK political and trade circles) has highlighted the risk that **not fully “turning on” checks** may invite **lower‑quality consignments destined for a lightly policed market**, but equally, fully activating checks without adequate capacity could **cause severe congestion and spoilage**.([reddit.com](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukpolitics/comments/1c7a3t2?utm_source=openai)) 4. **Cold chain and spoilage risk** - For **highly perishable items – berries, bagged salads, leafy greens – shelf life losses from a few hours at sub‑optimal temperatures are commercially significant**. Under BTOM, any **increase in the proportion of consignments selected for physical inspection** raises the probability of: - Product being **unloaded, inspected, reloaded**, breaking the cold chain. - **Temperature excursions** if BCPs lack enough chilled facilities. - Defra and PHSI statistics show rising non‑EU volumes and significant numbers of **controlled plant consignments**; each additional control point for such loads adds to cold‑chain risk.([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/plant-health-international-trade-and-controlled-consignments-2020-2024-statistics-publication/plant-health-international-trade-and-controlled-consignments-2020-2024-statistics-publication?utm_source=openai)) 5. **Cost impacts** - Even in advance of full fruit/veg checks, official impact assessments and external commentary suggest **additional admin and inspection fees could add low single‑digit % to retail prices** for affected lines, especially where supply chains are highly consolidated (limited alternative origins). BTOM‑related analyses have cited **0.2 percentage points of food price inflation over three years** from previous SPS control introductions on meat/fish/dairy, with similar orders of magnitude plausible for fruit/veg if full checks are applied.([reddit.com](https://www.reddit.com/r/uknews/comments/1l0r5im?utm_source=openai)) **Problem framing for 2026 operators (importers, exporters, logistics)** - **High regulatory uncertainty**: Shippers must plan for **progressive tightening of SPS checks on EU fresh produce from mid‑2025 onwards**, but with a **non‑trivial probability of further political delays or partial roll‑outs** during 2026.([foodpolicy.uk](https://www.foodpolicy.uk/news/should-eu-food-import-checks-be-delayed?utm_source=openai)) - **Operational risk concentration at key nodes**: - **Dover, Eurotunnel and nearby BCPs** remain single points of failure for a large share of UK fresh produce imports from the EU; any disruption (IT outages, staff shortages, strike action) can quickly cascade into spoilage losses. - **Cold chain vulnerability**: - The combination of **new inspection steps**, **variable BCP infrastructure**, and **seasonal surges in EU and North African produce** increases the need for: - tighter **pre‑clearance and documentation quality**, - **temperature‑monitored trailers with remote telemetry**, and - **clear contingency routing (alternative ports/BCPs)** for high‑value perishables. - **Strategic response options** for 2026: - Diversify **origins and routes** (e.g., more direct Spain–UK or Morocco–UK short‑sea services to ports with well‑resourced BCPs). - Increase **use of customs/SPS specialists** and **pre‑lodged declarations** to minimize inspection triggers. - Consider **buffer stock strategies** for less perishable categories (onions, root veg, some citrus) to offset the higher disruption risk for ultra‑fresh lines. **Sources for this section:** GOV.UK BTOM documentation; Food Standards Agency BTOM updates; Defra *Plant Health – international trade* statistics; Scottish Government BTOM correspondence (fruit & veg check delays); Food Policy Institute analysis of EU food import checks; trade/importer commentary.([foodpolicy.uk](https://www.foodpolicy.uk/news/should-eu-food-import-checks-be-delayed?utm_source=openai)) Sources: • UK trade in Food, Feed and Drink - GOV.UK https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/uk-trade-in-food-feed-and-drink/uk-trade-in-food-feed-and-drink?utm_source=openai • Trade Snapshot 2025 https://www.fdf.org.uk/globalassets/resources/publications/reports/trade-reports/2025-trade-snapshot.pdf?utm_source=openai • Horticulture statistics 2024 - GOV.UK https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/latest-horticulture-statistics/horticulture-statistics-2024?utm_source=openai • Horticulture statistics 2024 - GOV.UK https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/latest-horticulture-statistics/horticulture-statistics-2024?utm_source=openai • Plant Health – international trade and controlled consignments, 2020-2024 – statistics publication - GOV.UK https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/plant-health-international-trade-and-controlled-consignments-2020-2024-statistics-publication/plant-health-international-trade-and-controlled-consignments-2020-2024-statistics-publication?utm_source=openai • Our Food 2024 HC 936 SG/2025/101 An annual review https://www.food.gov.uk/sites/default/files/media/document/Our-Food-2024.pdf?utm_source=openai • Plant Health – international trade and controlled consignments, 2020-2024 – statistics publication - GOV.UK https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/plant-health-international-trade-and-controlled-consignments-2020-2024-statistics-publication/plant-health-international-trade-and-controlled-consignments-2020-2024-statistics-publication?utm_source=openai • UK Import Trends Monitor https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/695e2cdc11989e7ef067190b/UK_Import_Trends_Monitor_up_to_30_September_2025.pdf?utm_source=openai • Horticulture statistics 2024 - GOV.UK https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/latest-horticulture-statistics/horticulture-statistics-2024?utm_source=openai • Our Food 2024 HC 936 SG/2025/101 An annual review https://www.food.gov.uk/sites/default/files/media/document/Our-Food-2024.pdf?utm_source=openai • UK Import Trends Monitor https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/695e2cdc11989e7ef067190b/UK_Import_Trends_Monitor_up_to_30_September_2025.pdf?utm_source=openai • UK trade in Food, Feed and Drink - GOV.UK https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/uk-trade-in-food-feed-and-drink/uk-trade-in-food-feed-and-drink?utm_source=openai • Horticulture statistics 2024 - 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