After Andy Murray’s historic Wimbledon win last year, exports of tennis rackets increased by 26 per cent to £432,000 in Q3 compared with Q3  2012, with Belgium the UK’s biggest customer. 

Exports of strawberries also rocketed by 56 per cent in the same period to £762,000 and apples by 19 per cent. 

Ice cream and lolly exports increased by 51 per cent to £27m and sunglasses exports increased by 49 per cent to £19.4m. 

Dominic Jermey, UKTI’s chief exec, said: “The made in Britain brand is sought after across the world. This year, like last, people will be taking holidays and relaxing with products grown, made or designed by UK businesses.”

One such business is SwimFin, which sells a new kind of children’s buoyancy aid shaped like a shark fin. UK exports of water sports kit were worth £2.7m in Q3 last year, a 29 per cent increase on the previous year. 

Swimfin started exporting in 2008 and with the help of UKTI is now available in 80 countries. 

Emma Gibson, sales and marketing manager, said: “We are really committed to exporting as there are untapped markets and much more opportunity across the world for innovative and unique quality products. Opening up to exporting allows us to continually grow.

“We have seen export sales grow in recent years as a result of swim schools adopting new teaching equipment and parents trusting our brand to provide safety and confidence in the water when learning to swim.”

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