UK exports rise – two sides to the coin
Commentary by Carl Hasty, director of Smart Currency Business.
“Recent research released by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) and delivery service DHL reports an increase in UK exports in the first quarter of the year. 46% of manufacturers saw a rise in export orders in the first quarter of the year, compared to 36% in the previous quarter, while 33% of firms in the service sector reported an increase in exports in both the first quarter of 2015 and final quarter of 2014.
“On one hand, the fact that this has transpired alongside sterling strength is uplifting. A strong sterling to the euro would be expected to make UK exports to the Eurozone – currently the UK’s largest export market – less price-competitive. However, UK exports appear to be surpassing expectations by growing significantly.
“On the other hand, there are still questions surrounding the rate of growth of UK exports. Firstly, sterling strength has meant that UK exporters have either had to cut prices, or to compete at current price levels.
“As we have seen in the past year, sterling strength has had an adverse effect on the bottom line of UK companies from Burberry to BAE systems. Although UK exports are rising, they have the potential to grow further if UK exports are minimising losses and mitigating the risks of currency fluctuations to the best of their abilities.
“Secondly, there is the question of whether the current government is holding to the target of £1tn in UK exports by 2020. If this is the case, the question remains whether the current rate of growth suggests that the target will be achieved.
“If not, then the question is what more can the government do to help more UK exporters succeed, in order for UK exports to grow?”
