UK's fastest growing export partners come from emerging markets

Key markets include India (up 19.3% to £8.0 billion), Taiwan (up 40.8% to £2.8 billion) and Nigeria (up 18.3% to £2.7 billion), which were significantly above the overall UK export growth rate for 2018 at 2.7%. Other notable fast-growing export markets were Thailand (up 17.8% to £2.2 billion) and Kuwait (up 14.1% to £2.5 billion).

Five of the fastest growing economies were in Asia. The news comes as analysis by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) shows that by 2020, Asian economies will be larger than the rest of the world combined for the first time since the 19th century. This reflects the growing prosperity and economic potential of the region, and its attractiveness as a destination for British goods and services.

Further analysis by Standard Chartered shows Asia’s share of global GDP will likely reach 35% by 2030, equivalent to that of the euro area and US combined. It also reports seven of the world’s top 10 economies by 2030 will likely be made up of current emerging markets.

The Department for International Trade proposes that UK businesses will continue to adapt to the rapidly changing global economic environment and capitalise on the growing appetite for British produce in emerging markets.