THE North East is enjoying another record year of exporting, and is one of just four UK regions to record growth over the last 12 months.
According to figures from UK Trade and Investment, the region hit £3.326bn in exports in the period between July and September this year, bringing its total for the year to the end of September to £13.211bn.
This is 16% more than in the previous 12-month period. In comparison, the national increase is just under 14%.
The North East joins the East Midlands, London and the South East as the only regions to boast growth in a difficult year.
UK Trade and Investment regional director David Coppock said: “The region has enjoyed another good export performance this quarter – our third highest – and the total for the past 12 months is again at a record level for the region.”
The fastest growing home for North East exports in the last quarter was South Africa, which saw a boost of £96m, or 145%.
The region has exported £162m worth of goods to South Africa in the last 12 months. The USA is still the most popular destination, accounting for £2.21bn over 12 months, up 25% on the previous 12 months.
