The latest Trade Confidence Outlook from the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) reveals ongoing challenges for UK small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) exporters, with many struggling to boost their international sales. According to the report, which surveyed nearly 2,000 UK SME exporters, 52% of these firms saw no change in overseas sales during the second quarter of 2024, while 21% reported a decline. Only 27% of SME exporters experienced an increase in sales.
Since the pandemic, the BCC’s export sales indicator has consistently lagged behind domestic sales, with the percentage of exporters reporting growth remaining mostly stagnant. Comparing current figures to pre-pandemic levels shows a significant shift; in Q2 2018, only 14% of SMEs reported a drop in overseas sales, compared to 21% in Q2 2024.
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Domestic sales have fared better, with 37% of SMEs reporting growth. SME manufacturers have shown some resilience, with 31% reporting increased exports, compared to 25% of B2C service providers and 24% of B2B firms.
BCC’s Head of Trade Policy, William Bain, emphasized the need for continued government support to boost exports, highlighting recent initiatives aimed at improving trade relations and market access.
