International trade activities among businesses in the South West of England, 2023

11 Mar 2026

This data insight describes the scale and profile of exporting and importing activity among businesses in the South West, revealing how the region connects to national and international markets.

The South West of England region is one of 12 International Territorial Level 1 areas (ITL1) in the UK, comprising Gloucestershire and Wiltshire; West of England; North Somerset, Somerset and Dorset; Devon; and Cornwall and Isles of Scilly.

Around one in six South West businesses are engaged in exporting and/or importing, highlighting the importance of global trade to the regional economy. The indicators show clear differences between goods and services activity, with services playing a strong role in exports. By comparing exporters only, importers only, and businesses that both export and import, the data tells a story of a region with a diverse business base.

The analysis is based on responses to the UK annual business survey (ABS), covering PAYE/VAT registered, non-financial private sector businesses. The survey collects detailed information directly from businesses, with results weighted to represent the wider business population and rates expressed as a percentage of this cohort.

8,100

The number of service-only exporters, more than five times the number of goods-only exporters (1,500)

12,500

Total number of importers only, compared with 10,500 exporters only

16.5%

Percentage of London businesses that export goods and/or services, compared with 9.7% in the South West

South West exporters and importers, 2023

This visualisation shows the number of registered businesses in the South West in 2023 that export, import or do both, broken down by goods only, services only, and both goods and services firms.

Businesses that are importers only are the largest group (12,500), driven strongly by goods only (7,400) and services only (3,700).

In contrast, exporters account for 10,500 businesses, with the majority trading in services only (8,100), while businesses that trade both goods and services account for the lowest share of businesses (900).

Businesses that both export and import in the South West total 10,800. Across all three trade categories, firms dealing in both goods and services represent the smallest share compared with those trading only goods, or only services.

Exporters across UK regions; how the South West compares, 2023

This visualisation shows the proportion of non-financial private sector businesses exporting goods and/or services across UK regions in 2023, comparing overall exporters with goods and services breakdowns.

In the South West, 9.7% of businesses export goods and/or services, below the England average (11.9%) and Great Britain (11.5%), but above regions such as the North East (8.4%) and Wales (5.2%).

Among the English regions, London has the highest export rate of goods and/or services at 16.5%, followed by the South East (12.6%) and East of England (11.7%).

Across all regions, service exports exceed goods exports. This pattern is seen in the South West (6.8% services versus 3.9% goods) and is more pronounced in London (14.3% services versus 3.3% goods).

Wales records the lowest overall exporting rate of goods and/or services at 5.2%.

Importers across UK regions; how the South West compares, 2023

This visualisation shows the proportion of non-financial private sector businesses importing goods and/or services across UK regions in 2023, showing how the South West compares nationally.

The South West sits at a mid-ranking position nationally with 10.7% of its businesses importing goods and/or services. London leads with 16.4% followed by the South East with 13.9%. Regions including the North West (9.2%), West Midlands (9.2%) and Wales (5.5%) are at the lower end of the scale.

Across most regions, goods imports slightly exceed services imports. This is evident in the South West where 6.8% of non-financial businesses import goods, compared with 5.0% importing services. London reflects a more service-oriented trade profile compared to other regions with 11.7% importing services and 6.7% importing goods.

Exporters and/or importers; regional comparisons, 2023

This visualisation shows the proportion of non-financial private sector businesses that export and/or import goods and services across UK regions in 2023, highlighting regional disparities.

The South West records 15.5% of businesses engaged in international trade (goods and/or services), below the England average of 17.5% and the Great Britain average of 17.0%, and significantly behind London, which leads at 24.2%. Other high performing regions include the South East at 18.9%, East Midlands at 16.5% and Scotland at 16.4%, while Wales has the lowest rate at 7.8%

Across most regions, the combined goods and/or services rate is driven strongly by service activity, particularly in London where 18.8% of non-financial businesses that either export and/or import goods and services trade services, compared with 8.0% trading goods. In the South West, 9.2% trade services and 7.9% trade goods, showing a relatively balanced trade profile compared to more service-dominant regions.