Exports in Yorkshire and the Humber hit £4.5bn in Q3

Companies across Yorkshire and the Humber experienced an 11% increase in exports during the third quarter compared to the same period last year, according to new statistics.

The HMRC Regional Trade statistics show that total exports from the region reached £4.5bn in the three months to the end of September, up from £4.06bn in 2017.

The data also reveals that machinery and transport (£1.1bn), chemicals (£917m) and manufactured goods (£906m) were the main export sectors for the region.

Mineral fuels saw the most significant rise, increasing from £593m in the second quarter to £736m in the third.

Leigh Briggs, regional director for global trade and receivables finance for HSBC UK in the North, said: “The region is home to innovative and successful businesses that are not afraid to take their products to the world.

“The value of exports from the region increased in the third quarter of the year compared to a year ago, driven by machinery, chemicals and manufactured goods. But new sectors are emerging in the region, such as mineral fuels, which recorded a strong jump.

“There are great opportunities for Yorkshire and Humber businesses to take their goods and services to expanding and new markets. Right now companies should not be afraid to seize China’s $8 trillion opportunity import opportunity to find growth in the future.”