- Fewer than one fifth (18%) of micro-exporters (fewer than 10 employees) increased export orders in Q2, with 29% reporting a decrease.
- By comparison, 29% of large exporters (more than 250 staff) increased their export orders with a fifth (20%) reporting a drop.
- More than a quarter (27%) of all SME exporters surveyed reported a decrease in export orders
- Just over half (51%) said they saw no change in their export orders, and 22% an increase
As a Chamber of Commerce, Cumbria Chamber and its members are actively engaged in research by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC). The Trade Confidence Outlook, conducted by the BCC’s award-winning Insights Unit, is a survey of just over 2,000 UK exporters nationally.
The data was collected between 12th May and 9th June, after a narrow trade deal with the US was agreed but before any changes came into effect. The EU reset deal was also announced during this time, on May 19th, but again any alterations had yet to happen. The research shows that SME exporter sentiment remains very weak, with most not reporting increased export sales or orders. However, micro businesses are more likely to be reporting worsening conditions.
Overall, 24% of SME exporters reported an increase in export sales, 50% no change, and 26% a decrease. By contrast, only 20% of micro exporters reported an increase.
Looking at export orders – sales yet to be made – 22% of SME exporters reported an increase, 51% reported no change and 27% reported a decrease. Micro exporters were harder hit, with only 18% reporting an increase and 29% reporting a decrease.
SME exporters are consistently more likely to report decreased exports compared to before the pandemic and Brexit. In Q2 2018, only 14% of SME exporters reported a decrease in overseas sales compared to 26% in Q2 2025.
Suzanne Caldwell, Managing Director, Cumbria Chamber of Commerce, said:
“Exporting remains an uphill grind for many SMEs and the smallest are finding it toughest of all.
“Smaller, innovative, agile businesses should be able to export in a streamlined way, especially by taking advantage of e-commerce platforms. But in practice it’s often larger firms who seem able to navigate the challenges and complexities of international trade more easily. And of course are more able to employ specialists to focus on it.
“If the UK wants to boost exports for the long-term, then our current and potential exporters need more support and the right finance and advice to begin or grow their international trading. And indeed even to maintain it.
“The trade strategy sets out a strong framework for how this can be done but we must now move at pace to turn it from the page into practice.
“Over 40 per cent of Chamber members export, with access to an additional framework of support. This level of advice, training and guidance needs to be replicated across the UK, and developed further.
“If the trade strategy is effectively executed, then it could generate economic growth in every nation and region of the UK, lowering tariffs and removing trade barriers.
“But the hard work has to start now. The government must work with businesses and Chambers to deliver the strategy’s action points. This means leveraging the expertise, resource and place-based knowledge of our Global British Chamber Network to build, invest and deliver on international trade as an engine for economic growth.”
