Most exporting industries not concerned about trade policy

More than 12 percent of exporting manufaturers cited non-tariff measures (such as customs formalities or product requirements) as the most troubling element of trade policy in the next 12 months. Over 10 percent found trade sanctions most disconcerting for exports. More than 7 percent of exporters cited import tariffs as the trickiest part of trade policy.

Relatively the most concerned about trade policy were entrepreneurs in the electrotechnical and machinery industries (around 60 percent). Both non-tariff measures and trade sanctions were seen as most worrisome in these industries. The wood and building materials industries had the least concern about trade policy. Within this industry, exporters cite sustainability requirements as relatively most worrisome (nearly 9 percent).

Nearly half experience no impact from trade policy change

According to over 47 percent of the exporting manufacturers, a change in trade policy usually does not affect their exports. If companies do experience impacts, nearly 23 percent will see changes in their volume of exports. For example, if the destination country imposes import tariffs, a company will then export less. Nearly 18 percent indicated that a changing trade policy will mainly affect their export price.

The electrotechnical and machinery industries are most likely to experience impacts of a changing trade policy. Most likely to notice the effect of policy changes on the volume of their exports are manufacturers of base metals and metal products. Entrepreneurs in the food, beverages and tobacco industry most often cite price changes as the result of trade policy changes. Relatively few companies indicate they will look for new export markets or explore other forms of internationalisation due to trade policy changes.

Various reasons for not exporting

Some manufacturers do not export themselves at all. According to over 32 percent of the non-exporting manufacturers, there is insufficient international demand or too much competition. More than 26 percent said their products were not suitable for export. These were the two main reasons given by manufacturers for not exporting their own products.

Within the wood and building materials industry, just over 18 percent indicated most often that exporting is too complicated or costly. Among refineries and chemical manufacturers, slightly more than 10 percent are not familiar with export opportunities. In addition, over 51 percent in these industries indicated insufficient demand or too much competition. Among the food, beverages and tobacco industry, nearly 9 percent felt it was not the right time to start exporting, while just over 37 percent said their products were not suitable for export.