Regional Statistics –2009 begins with decrease in exports

The value of exports from the Yorkshire & Humber region has decreased significantly during the last three months.

Provisional estimates, published by HM Revenue and Customs on 11 June, show that the total value of exports dropped from 3,343 (£m) to 2,847 between quarter four of 2008 and quarter one of 2009. Exports from the region to EU-only countries decreased from 1,821 to 1,588.

There has also been a significant decrease from the same period last year (first quarter of 2008) when the value of total exports stood at 3,386 (£m).

The actual number of exporters has also decreased. In quarter one of 2008, the figure stood at 3,596, increasing to 3,730 by the final quarter of 2008. However, quarter one figures of 2009 show that this has now dropped to 3,551.

In relation to the value of exports to specific country groups, all have decreased, with the exception of Western Europe (excluding EU), which increased from 149 to 161 (£m) between quarter four of 2008 and quarter one of 2009.

In relation to the value of exports from specific sectors, only a few have experienced a slight increase. These are food and live animals (135 to 137 £m), crude minerals (94 to 98 £m) and animal and vegetable oils (19 to 23 £m).

This information is extracted from the HM Revenue and Customs document: ‘UK Regional Trade in Goods Statistics, Quarter 1, 2009’.