Musical Catastrophe: Brexit Sounds The Death Knell For UK Instrument Exports

New data released from the Office of National Statistics show the devastating impact Brexit is having on the UK's musical instrument export industry.

BREXITMUSICAL INSTRUMENTS

Paul Smith

4/10/20243 min read

assorted-color jazz guitar lot
assorted-color jazz guitar lot
  • Data reveals exports of musical instruments from the UK plummeted a staggering 29% since Brexit

  • Spokesperson for a leading musical instrument website describes this is “a significant blow”

New data released from the Office of National Statistics show the devastating impact Brexit is having on the UK's musical instrument export industry.

The statistics paint a grim picture. Where once the UK exported over £38 million worth of musical instruments per quarter, new ONS data reveals this figure has plummeted a staggering 29% to just £27 million since Brexit - with no signs of the downward trend abating.

Robert Emery, a professional musician and founder of Ted's List, the internet's leading musical instrument review and advice website, commented on the ONS data, saying:

Robert Emery Conductor
Robert Emery Conductor
“These figures are shocking and represent a significant blow to the UK's world-renowned musical instrument export industry. With easy access to the single market gone, European buyers are inevitably looking elsewhere.”

Robert Emery, a professional conductor and Founder of Ted’s List

Emery commented: "The decline in UK musical instrument exports is alarming and shows the urgent need for policymakers to act. The industry is a vital part of the UK's cultural heritage, and we cannot afford to lose it. Without immediate action, the UK risks losing its place as a global leader in musical instrument manufacturing."

According to the International Trade Centre (ITC), the top destinations for UK musical instrument exports in 2020 were the United States, Germany, France, the Netherlands, and Japan.

The European Union was the largest destination for UK musical instrument exports before Brexit, accounting for around 40% of all exports.

The ONS data is clear: Brexit is taking its toll on the UK's musical instrument export industry, and urgent action is needed to protect this vital sector. The UK government must act now to ensure that the industry can recover and continue to thrive in a post-Brexit world.

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Ends

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satellite photo of islands

Methodology

How did we objectively discover our findings?

graphs of performance analytics on a laptop screen
graphs of performance analytics on a laptop screen
Methodology of Data Collection

The analysis of how Brexit has affected musical instrument exports, is based on official ONS data statistics, and the ITC 2020 Annual Report. Sources below.

Conclusion: Musical Instrument Exports

The ONS data is clear: Brexit is taking its toll on the UK's musical instrument export industry, and urgent action is needed to protect this vital sector. The UK government must act now to ensure that the industry can recover and continue to thrive in a post-Brexit world.

red and white heart illustration
red and white heart illustration

Contact Robert Emery or Ted's List

Reach out to Robert Emery, Founder of Ted's List, for more comments:

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