The East Midlands has experienced the fastest rate of export growth than any other English region, according to new figures.
Latest data from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) shows that goods exported from the region in the 2018/19 financial year grew by 8.3% to a record high of £22.9 billion.
As well as increased demand for goods from the East Midlands, the number of businesses from the region exporting goods abroad has also risen sharply.
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In the first quarter of 2019, 8,034 East Midlands-based businesses exported abroad, 140 more than during the same period in the previous year.
Machinery and transport now account for over half of all goods exports from the East Midlands, with its value in the 2018/19 financial year increasing by 10.9% t £14.6 billion.
Growth markets include Latin America and Caribbean, where exports shot up at their fastest rate.
One exporter based in the East Midlands which has seen exports surge over the past few years is Derbyshire-based Thornbridge Brewery.
Simon Webster, chief executive at Thornbridge, which is based at Bakewell, said: “We currently export to 40 different countries worldwide with our beer going as far as Australia and New Zealand.
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“Exporting has allowed us to diversify our revenue streams, strengthening our overall income.
“We plan to grow the amount of countries we are available in and also the volumes in our current markets.
“Working closely with our distributors worldwide to increase the availability of Thornbridge beers across the globe.”
Dr Liam Fox, Secretary of State for International Trade, said: “I’m delighted that goods exports from the East Midlands have boasted particularly impressive growth rates over the past financial year, which is a consequence of the outstanding quality of produce and resilience of businesses across the region.
“When local businesses trade internationally, they provide profound economic benefits to the local economy, including more jobs and cheaper goods.
“By diversifying their markets globally, businesses of all sizes can benefit from increased competitiveness, which encourages greater innovation and prosperity.
“I encourage businesses throughout the East Midlands to use these statistics as evidence that despite the global headwinds getting stronger, the world demands British goods at unprecedented levels.”