'A great opportunity' UK wine producers expecting Brexit boom as industry flourishes
BRITISH wine producers are expecting their industry to soar as the United Kingdom navigates its way out of the European Union.
British winemaker on how Brexit will affect the industry
There has been a significant rise in the sale of British wines overseas, with Richard Balfour-Lynn, wine producer at Hush Heath Wine Estate thanking Brexit for its impact.
He claimed the devaluation of the pound has seen buyers in the United States, Japan and Hong Kong are taking more interest in his home-grown products.
Speaking to KMTV, Mr Balfour-Lynn said he was unworried by uncertainties surrounding Brexit, insisting the Government will deliver the right deals of overseas labour and trade.
He said: “I think the Government will undoubtedly allow people to come over for three months stays, as they currently do – I can’t see that changing.
The weakening pound has meant we are exporting more effectively
“I think Brexit is a great opportunity, you can look at all the downsides but none of us knows how it’s really going to play out.
“So, for the next few years none of us are really going to know and that does create uncertainty obviously.”
Reviewing the benefits for the UK’s wine industry, Mr Balfour-Lynn added: “From our perspective, we’re going to have a lot more people staying in England and Britain.
“The weakening pound has meant we are exporting more effectively to the States, Japan and Hong Kong – which is beneficial for us.”
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He declared Brexit “a great opportunity” for UK brands to increase their international standing.
Other representatives from Britain’s alcohol industry at Kent Vision Live echoed Mr Balfour-Lynn’s views on the European divorce.
Victoria Rose from Biddenden Vineyards said it had been positive for the company because they are not impacted by exports.
She said: “For us, it has had a very positive impact in the fact we are to at risk of what’s going to happen to our exports.
“We are at a great benefit from people doing staycations, people looking where their food and drink are from and people working out what is on their doorstep.”
Previously European winemakers have urged the European Union to quickly conclude a trade deal with the UK, allowing their products to pass freely into Britain.
They feared British purchasers would opt for home-grown products or buy abroad from non-EU states instead.
