Welsh Exports up to Quarter 4, 2009

Welsh exports for the four quarters up to and including quarter 4 2009 were down 15.4 per cent on the previous four quarters (sum of the devolved countries and English regions down 8.5 per cent).  Figures for quarter 4 2009 in isolation were down on the same quarter of 2008 and up 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 4 2009 fell by £1,639 million compared to the previous four quarters.
• There were decreases in exports to EU countries and in exports to non-EU countries, down £1,301 million (21.4 per cent) and £338 million (7.4 per cent) respectively.
• Ten of the twelve devolved countries and English regions saw falls over this period. Wales had one of the largest percentage decreases in the value of exports over these four quarters (down 15.4 per cent).  The West Midlands saw the biggest fall over this period (down 19.3 per cent), followed by Northern Ireland (down 17.3 per cent). Scotland and the North West were the only devolved countries/regions to have an increase over this period (up 4.8 per cent and 0.3 per cent respectively).
• There was a 40.7 per cent increase in Welsh exports between 1999 and the latest four quarters. This compares with an increase of 32.5 per cent for the sum of the UK countries.
• Looking at quarter 4 2009 in isolation, total exports (by value) for Wales decreased on the corresponding quarter in 2008 by £405 million (down 15.4 per cent) to £2,222 million.  Six of the twelve devolved countries and English regions experienced decreases in exports over this period with Wales having the second largest decrease and Scotland the largest increase. Overall, the value of exports for the sum of the UK countries increased by 0.7 per cent.
• Welsh exports for quarter 4 2009 were higher in value than in the previous quarter (up £125 million or 6.0 per cent), compared to a rise of 10.6 per cent for the sum of the UK countries. The North West was the only region /country to experience a fall in the value of exports on the previous quarter (down 1.5 per cent). Wales had the eighth highest increase over this period with the West Midlands having the largest increase (up 28.5 per cent).

A recent change has taken place to the Customs administrative data source used in the compilation of the Regional Trade Statistics (external link, pdf 16kB). 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.

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 June 2010