A new survey has revealed challenges around importing and exporting, as well as staff shortages, have been the biggest impacts of Brexit to businesses within the grocery retail and hospitality sectors.

According to Lumina Intelligence, more than half of those surveyed named administrative efforts surrounding importing and exporting, as well as supply chain difficulties as a result of Brexit, as having the biggest impacts on business. The impact of staff shortages has been felt by more almost two thirds (63%), while increased costs have also been experienced by two thirds.

Overwhelmingly, 75% of food and drink leaders believe the UK government should be doing more to support businesses in their efforts to overcome Brexit challenges.

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Katie Prowse, senior insight manager at Lumina Intelligence, said: “Brexit, coupled with heavy restrictions on movement caused by the pandemic, has resulted in significant resource challenges for businesses across the UK food and drink industry.”

“Issues surrounding the UK’s departure from the EU including trade deals, processes around imports and exports, and EU worker rights in the UK, are all the remit of the UK government and so it is vital that it plays a leading role in aiding, communicating and working alongside businesses through the transition.”

The survey also revealed the impact of the pandemic across the convenience sector, with businesses operating in grocery retail and eating-out markets feeling less positive about current trading conditions than they were in October 2020.

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