UK small and medium businesses are boosting sales by exporting; more so than businesses in other major EU countries, a new survey has revealed.

Research involving 8,000 exporting firms from seven EU countries found that 43 per cent had increased turnover between 2010 and 2012 by selling overseas. For the UK alone the figure was 72 per cent, according to the data published today by UPS.

Other countries included in the research were Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, France, Poland, and Belgium.

By sector the biggest exporters were technology and industrial suppliers. Meanwhile, just over 30 per cent of UK businesses said they export outside the EU and the favoured destination for these businesses is the US.

But UPS said more businesses should be looking further afield for new customers. It said there was evidence that UK firms harboured an “island mentality” and had concerns about the reliability and security of far-flung export destinations.

“Our research shows that some ambitious SMEs are already taking the first steps toward expanding into international markets,” George Willis, managing director for the UK, Ireland and the Nordics at UPS.

The business rewards of exporting can include increased revenue and robust growth, and by working with the right logistics partners, the risks can be managed,” he said.