Yorkshire and Humber value of exports reach £4.4bn

The value of exports of goods in Yorkshire and Humber has increased to £4.4bn as more businesses in the region are trading internationally, according to the latest statistics from HM Revenue and Customs.

This significant increase in the value of goods exports and number of exporters has been welcomed by UKTI regional director Mark Robson.

Mr Robson said: “Exporting is vital for the long-term health of the region and is critical for businesses that want to grow. It’s fantastic to see that even more businesses are breaking into international trade, but we want even more to seize on the incredible opportunities overseas.

“Companies that export grow faster than those that don’t and are more profitable than firms that remain dependent on customers at home.”

The latest trade statistics from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) also show that the number of exporting businesses of goods in Yorkshire and the Humber increased by 1.9% between the second quarter of 2014 and the second quarter of 2015.

During this period, the value of goods exports from the region rose from £4.1bn to £4.4bn, which is an increase of 8%.

At the end of the second quarter of 2015, Yorkshire and Humber had a 6% share of the UK export market for goods with its main markets overseas being the USA, the Netherlands, Germany, France and Belgium.

The top commodities by value for export from the region were chemicals and related products, machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods and mineral fuels.

Mark Robson, UKTI Regional Director for the Yorkshire & Humber region, added: “These figures are further evidence that companies in the region continue to trade overseas in greater numbers and win more business abroad.

“However, we need more firms following the example of increasing numbers of their peers and taking the decision to win business abroad.

“Doing business abroad does not need to be a leap into the unknown. We can help give companies the information, advice and contacts they need to win export orders.

“The range of companies we help ranges from the very small, recently established firm, trying to win their first orders abroad right up to established multi-nationals, already trading abroad.”