Welsh Exports up to Quarter 1, 2009

Welsh exports for the four quarters up to and including quarter 1 2009 were up 16.2 per cent on the previous four quarters (sum of the devolved countries and English regions up 7.4 per cent).  Figures for quarter 1 2009 in isolation were down on both the same quarter of 2008 and the previous quarter.

The key results are as follows.

• The value of exports for Wales for the four quarters up to and including quarter 1 2009 rose by £1,482 million compared to the previous four quarters.
• There was an increase in exports to EU countries of £315 million (up 5.7 per cent), as well as an increase in exports to non-EU countries (up £1,168 million (up 32.5 per cent).
• All but one of the twelve devolved countries and English regions saw increases over this period. Wales and the South East saw the biggest percentage increases in the value of exports over these four quarters (up 16.2 per cent and 15.7 per cent respectively).  Only the West Midlands saw a fall over this period (down 1.1 per cent).
• There was a 66.2 per cent increase in Welsh exports between 1999 and the latest four quarters. This compares with an increase of 42.1 per cent for the sum of the UK countries.
• Looking at quarter 1 2009 in isolation, total exports (by value) for Wales decreased on the corresponding quarter in 2008 by £100 million (down 4.2 per cent) to £2,264 million.  All but two of the devolved countries and English regions experienced decreases in exports over this period with the West Midlands having the largest decrease and the North West and the South East having increases. Overall, the value of exports for the sum of the UK countries decreased by 7.5 per cent.
• Welsh exports for quarter 1 2009 were lower in value than in the previous quarter (down £374 million or 14.2 per cent), compared to a fall of 11.8 per cent for the sum of the UK countries. All but one of the twelve devolved countries and English regions experienced a fall in the value of exports on the previous quarter with the West Midlands having the largest fall (down 23.0 per cent) and only the North West having an increase (up 3.2 per cent).

A recent change has taken place to the Customs administrative data source used in the compilation of the Regional Trade Statistics. More detail can be found at the HM Revenue & Customs UK Trade Information website (pdf).

The quarter 2 2009 statistics, due out in September will be the first data to be affected. The impact of the change will be monitored and reviewed by the Statistical Directorate with the Trade Statistics Unit in HMRC.

Further information can be found on the StatsWales website.

Contact

Tel: 029 2082 5017
E-mail: economic.stats@wales.gsi.gov.uk

Next Update

10 September 2009