The value of exports from Yorkshire and the Humber has fallen by £0.5 billion during the last year, according to the latest figures from HM Revenue & Customs.

The trade in goods data show that exports from the region were worth £3.77bn in the second quarter of the year, compared with £4.27bn during the same period in 2011.

However, the figures show that the number of regional exporters has grown by 1.2% over the year. Mark Robson, international trade director for UK Trade & Investment (UKTI), said: "On the face of it the Q2 figures represent a slightly disappointing decline, but when you consider the challenges facing the global economy, and the Eurozone in particular, where a good number of regional businesses operate, I think they are perfectly plausible and understandable.

"The key figure for me is the number of regional exporters, which continues to show a healthy year-on-year increase.

"My underlying message is that global opportunities remain despite the apparent doom and gloom, not least in Eastern Europe, South America and South East Asia and beyond, and we still have masses of untapped potential as a region across a broad range of sectors, from legal and professional services through to healthcare innovation, green technology and infrastructure support solutions.".

Copyright Press Association 2012

https://www.uktradeinfo.com/Statistics/BuildYourOwnTables/Pages/Home.aspx (HM Revenue and Customs)