Half (51 per cent) of those who already export from the UK or plan to in the future agreed that exporting would continue to be a priority for their business in the future, and just over one in 10 (11 per cent) businesses surveyed had either started exporting to new non-EU countries or were considering doing so in the near future.

A quarter (24 per cent) of those who already export or plan to in the future state they have stopped selling to some EU markets, with six per cent of British businesses stating they have stopped selling to EU-markets altogether. 

When asked if they thought they’d export more or less over the next year compared to the previous 12 months, exporters were divided, with 25 per cent forecasting an increase and 28 per cent anticipating a decrease.

Ian Wilson, Chief Executive at DHL Express UK&I said: “Six months on from the UK’s departure from the European Union and it’s clear that the nation’s small businesses are still navigating the changes with mixed feelings. 

“The findings from our exporter research reflect our own customers’ experiences, where some sectors have been able to stabilise and even grow, taking advantage of government incentives and new trade deals, while others are feeling a significant impact from the increase in regulatory complexity.

Wilson added: “It is encouraging that so many businesses continue to see a role for exporting in their future, but it’s clear more needs to be done to manage the new trading environment we’re in.”