UK bike imports down nearly 30% in first half
Posted on 21 Oct 2009
Latest UK bike import figures underline the significant impact the economic down turn has had on the sector this year. Figures for January to June 2009 show a 29% reduction in imports, which is over 400,000 less units. However the value of imports actually increased by over 5% to £96.4m as a result of higher costs.
| Jan - Jun 09 | Jan - Jun 08 |
12 mths to Jun 09 | 12 mths to Jun 08 |
|
|
Units
(000) |
1.003 (-29%) |
1.430 |
3.181 (-13.4%) |
3.673 |
| Jan - Jun 09 |
Jan - Jun 08 |
12 mths to Jun 09 |
12 mths to Jun 08 |
|
|
Value
(£) |
96.4 (+5.4%) | 91.4 |
242.6 (+23%) |
197.2 |
Another interesting point from these import figures is the changing location of imports. Sri Lanka (+35%) and Tunisia (+20%) have seen significant growth in their exports to the UK whilst Taiwan has seen a 29% decrease, Thailand (-61%) and Bangladesh (-32%).
Britain's so-called cheapest bicycle, the British Eagle range from Asda, is produced in Tunisia which may help explain some of the growth in exports from that well known centre of global bicycle production.
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