Wales, Yorkshire and Scotland show largest export growth in UK

Wales saw the biggest growth of any UK region in the number of firms exporting at 32% across the three years between 2012 and 2014 to 4,900, according to analysis by Santander Corporate & Commercial of data from the Office of National Statistics.

Yorkshire & Humberside showed the next strongest growth (21% to 13,900), followed by Scotland (17% to 11,100), the East Midlands (12% to 14,900) and the North West (11% to 17,100). The North East saw the largest decrease of 8% to 3,500 businesses exporting.

Wales also had the largest increase in the number of firms that just export services, at 87% to 2,800 businesses, with Scotland showing the most significant increase in the number exporting goods, up 14% to 5,700.

Overall, the number of exporters throughout the UK grew by 5% across the three-year period to 221,300 in total, with a 25%, equating to 56,40, in London, 19% (40,700) in the South East and 12% (24,200) in the East of England.

John Carroll, head of product management & international business, Santander Corporate & Commercial, said: “Our analysis shows some strong growth in the number of British firms that export, particularly with regards to the services sector.

“However, it is vital that more firms focus on international trade as a primary driver of growth. 2016 is a key year for British businesses and exporting: trading internationally has become even more important to the national business narrative, as evidenced by the Government’s target to grow UK exports to £1 trillion by 2020.”