Good News Britain: Food and drink companies are hunting further afield for growth That is changing as progressive companies look to emerging markets outside the EU for growth - prompted by Westernising diets, global confidence in the quality and safety of British food and the prestige of our brands. Not only are companies selling existing products internationally, they are innovating to cater for local needs, with an example being United Biscuits working with nutritionists to manufacture a biscuit fortified with nutrients typically lacking in the Nigerian diet. Our industry is determined to grow 20pc by 2020, and while the domestic market performs solidly, there remains untapped potential abroad for ambitious companies. Traditionally, food exporting has been the preserve of larger organisations, but many SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) now view exports as crucial to growth and development. Many have had to be tenacious to overcome practical challenges around contacting buyers, understanding local trading conditions and establishing effective supply chains to manage short shelf-life products. Recently, the Food and Drink Federation has been working with Defra and UKTI to address some of the challenges SMEs face in tackling new markets. Our latest set of export figures shows performance in core EU territories remains robust but companies are hunting further afield for growth. In 2011 our exports to China alone rose 55pc and in the half year to June 2012 we have seen a significant growth in sales to the Middle East. In the popularity stakes, our heritage serves us well, with British chocolate and cakes continuing to prove popular internationally. We are also seeing a rise in demand for healthy products produced by British companies, a trend we believe is set to continue. Steve Barnes is the economic and commercial services director at the Food and Drink Federation