Welsh Exports up to Quarter 3, 2009

Welsh exports for the four quarters up to and including quarter 3 2009 were down 8.3 per cent on the previous four quarters (sum of the devolved countries and English regions down 7.6 per cent).  Figures for quarter 3 2009 in isolation were down on both the same quarter of 2008 and on the previous quarter.

The key results are as follows:

• The value of exports for Wales for the four quarters up to and including quarter 3 2009 fell by £856 million compared to the previous four quarters.
• There was a decrease in exports to EU countries of £1,233 million (down 20.3 per cent), and an increase in exports to non-EU countries of £378 million (up 9.1 per cent).
• Eleven of the twelve devolved countries and English regions saw falls over this period. Wales had the fifth smallest percentage decrease in the value of exports over these four quarters (down 8.3 per cent).  The West Midlands saw the biggest fall over this period (down 22.0 per cent), followed by the North East (down 18.5 per cent). Scotland was the only devolved country/region to have an increase over this period (up 3.4%).
• There was a 47.0 per cent increase in Welsh exports between 1999 and the latest four quarters. This compares with an increase of 32.2 per cent for the sum of the UK countries.
• Looking at quarter 3 2009 in isolation, total exports (by value) for Wales decreased on the corresponding quarter in 2008 by £868 million (down 29.3 per cent) to £2,091 million.  Ten of the twelve devolved countries and English regions experienced decreases in exports over this period with Wales having the largest decrease and Scotland the largest increase. Overall, the value of exports for the sum of the UK countries decreased by 13.0 per cent.
• Welsh exports for quarter 3 2009 were lower in value than in the previous quarter (down £329 million or 13.6 per cent), compared to a rise of 1.2 per cent for the sum of the UK countries. Five of the twelve devolved countries and English regions experienced a fall in the value of exports on the previous quarter with Northern Ireland having the largest fall (down 14.6 per cent) and the North West having the largest increase (up 14.1 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 UK Trade Information website. The quarter 3 2009 statistics are 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.

The detailed dataset on StatsWales (external link) will be updated to include these new data by 12 noon on 10 December 2009.

Contact

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

Next update

11 March 2010