Welsh Exports up to Quarter 2, 2008

Welsh exports for the four quarters up to and including quarter 2 2008 were  up 2.9 per cent on the previous four quarters (sum of the devolved countries and English regions up 7.2 per cent).  Figures for quarter 2 2008 in isolation were up on both the same quarter of 2007 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 2 2008 rose by £268 million compared to the previous four quarters.
• There was an increase in exports to EU countries of £276 million (up 5.0 per cent), while there was a small reduction in exports to non-EU countries of £8 million (down 0.2 per cent).
• All but one of the twelve devolved countries and English regions saw increases over this period. The North East and East regions saw the biggest percentage increases in the value of exports over these four quarters (up 26.3 per cent and 11.6 per cent respectively).
• There was a 48.9 per cent increase in Welsh exports between 1999 and the latest four quarters. This compares with an increase of 36.8 per cent for the sum of the UK countries.
• Looking at quarter 2 2008 in isolation, total exports (by value) for Wales increased on the corresponding quarter in 2007 by £358 million (up 15.1 per cent) to £2,729 million.  Scotland was the only one of the devolved countries and English regions to experience a fall in the value of exports over this period. Overall, the value of exports for the sum of the UK countries increased by 13.9 per cent.
• Welsh exports for quarter 2 2008 were higher in value than in the previous quarter (up £343 million or 14.4 per cent), compared to a 9.6 per cent increase for the sum of the UK countries. All twelve devolved countries and English regions experienced a rise in the value of exports on the previous quarter.

The detailed dataset on StatsWales will be updated to include these new data by 12 noon on 12 September 2008.

Contact:
Tel: 029 2082 6369
E-mail: economic.stats@wales.gsi.gov.uk

Next Update: 
11 December 2008