Latest HMRC data shows that as well as overseas demand for goods from the South West being at a record high, the region has now recorded four consecutive years of growth in goods exports.

HMRC data shows that goods exports from the south west in the 2018/19 financial year grew by 4.0% to a record high of £21.6 billion.

Goods exports from the south west have now grown for four consecutive years, the joint highest in the country.

As well as increased demand for goods from the south west, the number of businesses from the region exporting goods abroad has shot up.

In the first quarter of 2019, 8,352 south west based businesses exported abroad, 162 more than during the same period in the previous year.

A growing contributor to the increased demand for goods from the south west is the rising demand from Latin America and Caribbean, where exports grew in the 2018/19 financial year by 13.5% to £269 million.

Secretary of State for International Trade, Dr Liam Fox, said: “I am delighted that goods exports from the south west 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 south west to use todays statistics as evidence that despite the global headwinds getting stronger, the world demands British goods at unprecedented levels.”