UK exports hit record high for all four nations

UK exports have now grown for four consecutive years in every nation, with Scotland recording the fastest growth over the past 12 months.

The data shows that the benefits of global trade is being shared among all parts of the UK, with businesses opening themselves up to new markets around the world.

In the past year, demand for Scottish goods in China increased by 213.8% to £3.4bn, while exporters in Northern Ireland saw overseas sales in the US increase by 12.9% to £1.1bn.

At the same time, London and the East Midlands helped drive export growth in England, as exports grew by 10.1% to £40.5bn and 9.3% to £23.5bn respectively.

Brexit Boost

Since the EU referendum, overseas demand for goods has significantly increased in each UK nation when compared to the same three-year period before the Brexit vote.

Since July 2016, exports from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland increased by £104.8bn, £9.8bn, £7.6bn, £4.8bn, respectively.

Improving market access

The Department for International Trade has launched a new market access service in an effort to make it easier for British businesses to trade globally, opening new markets for UK goods and services.

The online service will allow British businesses to report issues preventing them from trading around the world, including unnecessary, legal, regulatory or administrative requirements such as labelling restrictions, out-of-date regulations and licensing requirements.

The tool will ensure British businesses can flag these issues and the government’s trade experts can work with countries around the world to resolve them, opening new markets globally.

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