The latest experimental Broad Economy Sales and Exports Statistics (BESES) for 2016 were published today by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA).
Main results
- Total sales by companies in Northern Ireland (NI) were estimated to be worth £68.9 billion in 2016, an increase of 2.7% (£1.8 billion) over the year.
- Total sales of goods were estimated to be worth £49.4 billion in 2016, an increase of 2.4% (£1.2 billion) over the year.
- Sales of services represented 28.3% of total sales in 2016 and were estimated to be worth £19.5 billion. Sales of services increased by 3.4% over the year (£0.6 billion).
- External sales to markets outside of NI rose by £1.0 billion (4.2%) to £24.1 billion in 2016.
- External sales of goods by NI companies were estimated to be worth £18.8 billion in 2016, 78.0% of all external sales. This represents an increase of 2.9% over the year (£0.5 billion).
- External sales of services were estimated to be worth £5.3 billion or 22.0% of all external sales in 2016. This represents an increase of 9.1% (£0.4 billion) over the year.
- Exports were estimated to be worth £10.1 billion in 2016, an increase of 7.3% (£0.7 billion) over the year.
- Exports of goods were estimated to be worth £8.3 billion in 2016, an increase of 5.7% (£0.4 billion). Exports of goods represented 81.9% of all exports sales.
- Exports of services represented 18.1% of total export sales in 2016 and were estimated to be worth £1.8 billion. Exports of services increased by 15.1% (£0.2 billion) over the year.
- BESES estimates are not directly comparable with HMRC Regional Trade Statistics due to methodological differences.
The bulletin can be accessed via the NISRA website.
Notes to editors:
- The BESES series is designated as experimental statistics under the Code of Practice for Official Statistics reflecting the fact that they are still under development.
- NISRA published its BESES results relating to local businesses’ sales in 2016 to markets outside Northern Ireland in December 2017.
- This bulletin provides further disaggregation of these results into the value of goods and services sold. Figures for 2016 are provisional and may be subject to revision. This information is also consistent with results for the non-financial business economy published by NISRA in December 2017 (Annual Business Inquiry (ABI)).
- The Code of Practice for Official Statistics recommends releasing statistical work in progress, such as experimental statistics. These are defined as “new official statistics undergoing evaluation that are published in order to involve users and stakeholders in their development and as a means to build in quality at an early stage”.
- More detailed statistical information including data tables and definitions of the methodology used is available on the NISRA website.
- For media enquiries, please contact the Department for the Economy Press Office on 028 9052 9604 or outside office hours, please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076 2397 4383 and your call will be returned.
- General information can be obtained from Damian Buchanan, Economic & Labour Market Statistics Branch, on Tel: (028) 9052 9648 or at damian.buchanan@nisra.gov.uk