Exports of British food and drink reached record levels in the first quarter of 2017, partly thanks to the post-referendum drop in the value of the pound.

Sterling has fallen over 15% against the dollar in the 11 months since last year's vote, meaning British exports are cheaper for overseas customers.

Overall food and drinks exports went up 8.3% in the first three months of 2017 compared to the same period in 2016 to reach a total value of just under £5bn.

Scottish goods were particularly valuable, with whisky exports alone accounting for almost £900m of sales.

Sales of salmon also rose sharply to just shy of £187m, a 50% increase by value.

While Brexiteers will be cheered by the growth in new non-EU markets such a South Korea - where sales rose by 40% - Ireland remains by far the UK's most important trading partner for food and drink, accounting for £854m of UK business for the quarter.

'FOOD COULD GO OFF'

Shadow Foreign Secretary Emily Thornberry yesterday played up the importance of European markets, arguing that it would not be possible to export to countries such as Australia.

“The truth is the majority of our trade takes place with the European Union, and things like our food industry, you can’t export it to Australia — it will go off," she told an audience at the Royal United Services Institute.

She later clarified that she was referring to perishable foods that "would have to be sold pretty immediately".

Ms Thornberry's argument was backed up by the director of the Food and Drink Exporters Association, Elsa Fairbanks, who said securing good terms with the EU was crucial as many products cannot be exported long distances.

"Ease of access to EU markets will continue to be vital to our industry in future as many food and drink products are not suited to export to distant markets," she said.

"Although we recognise the need to explore new opportunities, leaving the EU should not mean ignoring those we already have."