Welsh exports: 2018

Main points for the year ending December 2018

• The value of exports for Wales for the year ending December 2018 was £17.2 billion, up £0.7 billion (4.2%) compared with 2017.
• 9 of the twelve UK countries and English regions had increases with the East Midlands having the largest increase (up 7.9%), compared with 2017. The largest decrease was seen in the North West (down 3.1%). Wales saw the fifth largest increase.
• There was an increase in exports to EU countries of £556 million (5.6%) and an increase in exports to non-EU countries of £140 million (2.1%), compared with 2017. Exports to the EU accounted for 61.2% of Welsh exports compared with 49.9% for the UK.
• Germany was the top export destination accounting for 18.2% of exports, down from 19.6% of exports compared with 2017.
• Exports from Wales are dominated by ‘Machinery and Transport Equipment’ which made up 49.6% of exports.

Further information

The data above relates to exports of goods. Experimental statistics produced by the Office for National statistics suggest that service exports make up approximately 30% of total exports in Wales.