EXPORTS by Yorkshire companies increased by 8% in the second quarter of the year, increasing the value of goods leaving the region for overseas markets by £327m.
The number of companies exporting was also up on a year earlier, rising by 1.9% to more than 3,700, as more businesses look to gain a slice of the region’s £17bn annual export market.
“Companies that export grow faster than those that don’t and are more profitable than firms that remain dependent on customers at home,” said UKTI regional director Mark Robson.
He added: “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.
The latest figures rom HM Revenue and Customs show the value of exports of goods in Yorkshire and Humber has increased to £4.4bn.
At the end of the second quarter of 2015, Yorkshire and the Humber had a 6 per cent 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.
Mr Robson 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.
“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.”
