BookTok drives UK export sales to Europe

In the UK, the Publishers Association’s (PA) Year in Publishing Report for 2022 showed the export market was a ‘huge’ factor in last year’s industry growth, with an 8% rise in exports taking its total to £4.1 billion (A$7.8b), reports the Bookseller.

Statistics showed Germany was the biggest buyer of UK books, with £130.1m (A$248m), up 27% on 2021, followed by sales to Spain, which grew 30% to £66.8m (A$127m); the Netherlands, up 6% to £47.3m (A$90m); and Ireland, which had steady sales of £43.2m (A$82m).

Publishers Penguin Random House, Hachette, Pan Macmillan and Simon & Schuster all cited BookTok as a clear influence on the growing market for English-language titles in Europe, with many publishers indicating they were investing more in the region after seeing growth. English being taught at younger ages, the re-opening of international travel post-pandemic, and exposure to new territories such as in eastern Europe were other reasons cited for growth.

Category: International news