A British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) survey of more than 2,300 UK SME exporters has warned that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that export are facing 'tightening pressure' because of decreasing export sales.
Highlights of the survey:
- Most SME exporters report no improvement to exports, with 27% of exporters recording decreased export sales during the fourth quarter of 2022 and 47% reporting no change.
- Only 26% of SME exporters saw increased export sales.
- The three biggest cost pressures for SME exporters are energy (72%), labour (67%) and raw materials (61%).
- Just over a third of SME exporters (36%) expect increased profitability in the next 12 months, while an almost equal number (35%) expect a decrease.
James Monk, Business West Commercial Director said:
“The results of BCC’s Trade Confidence Outlook survey reveal the challenges exporters continue to face and the consequent impact of these factors on business confidence.
Brexit has unfortunately caused no end of unintended challenges for UK exporters. Companies are preoccupied with inflation, skills shortages, and supply chain issues. However, for many companies, trading globally is a fantastic way to sell more products and services. It has just got more complicated and more expensive.
Business West is helping hundreds of companies with our solutions that deal with the bureaucracy of international trade to help them grow their businesses globally.”
https://www.britishchambers.org.uk/news/2023/01/sme-exporters-under-tigh...
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