Welsh Exports up to Quarter 1, 2010

Welsh exports for the four quarters up to and including quarter 1 2010 were down 16.8 per cent on the previous four quarters (sum of the devolved countries and English regions down 5.2 per cent). Figures for quarter 1 2010 in isolation were down on the same quarter of 2009 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 2010 fell by £1,778 million compared to the previous four quarters.
• There were decreases in exports to EU countries and in exports to non-EU countries, down £1,055 million (18.2 per cent) and £723 million (15.2 per cent) respectively.
• All but one of the twelve devolved countries and English regions saw falls over this period. Wales had the second largest percentage decreases in the value of exports over these four quarters (down 16.8 per cent).  Northern Ireland saw the biggest fall over this period (down 17.6 per cent). Scotland was the only devolved country/region to have an increase over this period (up 3.6 per cent).
• There was a 37.2 per cent increase in Welsh exports between 1999 and the latest four quarters. This compares with an increase of 35.2 per cent for the sum of the UK countries.
• Looking at quarter 1 2010 in isolation, total exports (by value) for Wales decreased on the corresponding quarter in 2009 by £227 million (down 10.1 per cent) to £2,034 million.  Five of the twelve devolved countries and English regions experienced decreases in exports over this period with Wales having the second largest decrease and London the largest increase. Overall, the value of exports for the sum of the UK countries increased by 7.4 per cent.
• Welsh exports for quarter 1 2010 were lower in value than in the previous quarter (down £191million or 8.6 per cent), compared to a fall of 5.3 per cent for the sum of the UK countries. The South West and London were the only regions/countries to experience an increase in the value of exports on the previous quarter (up 21.5 per cent and 20.7 per cent respectively). Wales had the fourth smallest fall over this period with Scotland having the largest fall (down 27.3 per cent).

Further information

StatsWales website

Contact

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

Next update

9 September 2010