What Are The Most Famous British Exports?

by Emma Barlow | 13 November 2015

A survey of 2,000 UK consumers, commissioned by Heathrow, to celebrate British Export Week revealed that Marmite and Baked Beans are the two products the UK is most proud of to see in supermarkets across the world.

The survey highlights the best in UK exports and Heathrow is working with UKTI to highlight the fantastic products that businesses, large and small share with the rest of the world. Heathrow is the UK's biggest port by value of goods. Currently, over £48 billion worth of British goods are exported through the airport over a 12 month period, representing 26% of all UK export goods by value.

15% of consumers surveyed by Heathrow claimed that they were most proud to see Marmite on supermarkets shelves abroad. The British staple Baked Beans was not far behind with over 14% of consumers proud to see them on their travels.

19% of Brits believe that literary creation Harry Potter is Britain's biggest export. 10% of consumers surveyed claimed David Beckham was the UK's biggest export, with Fish 'n Chips not far behind on 9%.

To celebrate Export Week, Heathrow has created a unique Export Café in the shape of a shipping container to showcase the best in British exports. The café in Terminal 5 departures showcases 25 of the UK's best exports from across the country, from Cornish clotted cream, to Scottish shortbread.

The café offers passengers travelling across the world the chance to learn more about the varied exports that travel via Heathrow with them every day under their seat. A menu has been developed using the best of British exports from across the UK to all five continents.

Fresh Salmon is the UK's number one export via Heathrow, with 46 thousand tonnes exported in one year alone. Books and Brochures are the UK's second largest export via Heathrow with over 20,000 tonnes exported in the 12 months leading up to July 2015; the equivalent to around 1,600 double decker buses.

Commenting on the launch of the export research and the Heathrow Export Café, Emma Gilthorpe, Heathrow's Strategy Director said "At Heathrow we are delighted to support the UK government's Exporting is GREAT campaign to help raise awareness of the benefits of exporting and the support network that is in place to help businesses across Britain to reach dining tables and markets across the world."

"The true heroes of this campaign are the businesses who have gone beyond UK borders and opened new markets to the benefit of their local communities and the UK's economy."

The Rt Hon Lord Maude of Horsham, Minister for Trade and Investment said "Exporting is GREAT is the government's most ambitious export campaign ever, aiming to inspire and support 100,000 additional UK exporters to sell their goods and services overseas by 2020. I'm delighted that Heathrow will be partnering with us to extend and sustain the campaign's reach and provide support to businesses to boost their capability and help them successfully access international markets."

Heathrow will be working with the UK government throughout Export Week; celebrating businesses up and down the UK who have taken their business to global markets across the world.