Yorkshire and the Humber sees export sales surpass £18bn in 2018

Business across Yorkshire and the Humber saw export sales increase by more than £1.3bn in 2018, according to HMRC Regional Trade statistics.

The report shows that the value of exports in the region has risen to £18.13bn during the year, compared to £16.82bn in 2017.

Exports from the region also grew in quarter four, increasing by £92m to £4.65bn, and were up 6% compared to the same period in 2017.

Overall, the total annual value of UK exports increased by 2.6% to £337bn in the year ending December 2018, compared with the same period the previous year.

Leigh Briggs, regional director for global trade and receivables finance for HSBC UK in the North, said: “It’s really encouraging to see a significant increase in exports from the region throughout 2018. These statistics show that businesses across Yorkshire and The Humber are advancing their export strategies and are continuing to take their goods to the world, despite economic uncertainty at home.

“During 2018 exports of machinery and transport, manufactured goods and chemicals were the most valuable to the region. While the EU remains the biggest trade partner there were significant increases in exports to Asia and Oceania and Africa.

“We know that businesses across Yorkshire and The Humber are innovative and nimble and it’s encouraging to see they are committed to expanding their export strategies to find growth.”