Official Statistics

UK trade in numbers

A snapshot of the UK’s latest trade and investment position, summarising statistics produced by ONS, DBT, and UNCTAD.

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The UK trade in numbers contains the latest published UK trade and investment statistics. It draws on a number of statistical sources including the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

Trade statistics are derived from a number of sources and can be presented in different ways. The UK’s trade statistics are primarily provided by ONS releases, including the ONS monthly UK trade, ONS UK quarterly trade by partner country, and ONS UK balance of payments. These releases set out the UK’s economic relationship with other countries and illustrate the UK’s bilateral trade on top exports and imports for goods and services.

In addition, the UK trade in numbers depicts foreign direct investment, regional trade statistics, and the UK’s position in global rankings for exports and imports of goods and services.

Published 24 May 2018
Last updated 20 March 2024 + show all updates
  1. The following sections have been updated with the latest available data: 2.1 Value of UK total trade 2.2 Total UK exports and imports (goods and services) 3.1 UK exports goods and services 3.3 Top 30 UK goods exports 3.4 UK services exports 4.1 UK imports goods and services 4.3 Top 30 UK goods imports 4.4 UK services imports

  2. The following sections have been updated with the latest available data: 2.1 Value of UK total trade 2.2 Total UK exports and imports (goods and services) 3.1 UK exports goods and services 3.2 Top 30 UK export markets (goods and services) 3.3 Top 30 UK goods exports 3.4 UK services exports 4.1 UK imports goods and services 4.2 Top 30 UK import markets (goods and services) 4.3 Top 30 UK goods imports 4.4 UK services imports

  3. The following sections have been updated with the latest published data: 2.2 Total UK exports and imports (goods and services) 2.3 Total UK exports and imports (goods and services) by EU and non-EU 3.1 UK exports goods and services 3.3 Top 30 UK goods exports 3.4 UK services exports 4.1 UK imports goods and services 4.3 Top 30 UK goods imports 4.4 UK services imports

  4. 2.1 value of UK total trade 2.2 UK trade 12 months to August 2023 3.1 UK exports of goods and service 3.2 Top 30 UK export markets (goods and services) 3.3 Top UK goods exports 3.4 Top UK services exports 4.1 UK imports of goods and services 4.2 Top 30 UK import markets (goods and services) 4.3 Top UK goods imports 4.4 Top UK services imports

  5. Updated the following sections with the latest data: 2.1 Value of total trade 2.2 Total UK exports and imports (goods and services) 3.1 UK exports goods and services 3.2 Top 30 UK export markets (goods and services) 3.3 Top 30 UK goods exports 3.4 UK services exports 4.1 UK imports goods and services 4.2 Top 30 UK import markets (goods and services) 4.3 Top 30 UK goods imports 4.4 UK services imports

  6. We have updated the following sections with the latest published data from ONS: 2.1 Value of UK total trade 2.2 UK trade exports and imports 2.3 UK trade with EU and non-EU countries 3.1 UK exports of goods and services 3.3 Top UK goods exports 3.4 Top UK services exports 4.1 UK imports of goods and services 4.3 Top UK goods imports 4.4 Top UK services imports

  7. Sections 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 4.1, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 6.3 and 6.7 updated with latest statistics.

  8. Updated with the latest data, sections 2.2, 3.1, 3.3, 3.4, 4.1, 4.3 and 4.4 all been updated with data up until to June 2023. Sections 3.2 and 4.2 updated with data up until March 2023. Contact email address amended.

  9. Updated with the latest trade data for May 2023 and the latest revisions for Q1 2023 data for services (2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 3.3, 3.4, 4.1, 4.3, 4.4), further updates: Q1 2023 data for 2.3, annual regional 2021 data for 5.1 and 5.2, annual 2022 global rankings data for 6.3 and 6.7, and 6.4 inward investment results for 2022/23.

  10. Updated sections 2.2, 3.1, 3.3, 3.4, 4.1, 4.3, 4.4 with the latest data on UK trade for April, sections 2.4 and 2.5 have been updated with the latest Annual Business Survey data for 2021.

  11. Updated sections 2.2, 3.1, 3.3, 3.4, 4.1, 4.3, 4.4 with data up to March 2023 for goods and services trade, sections 3.2 and 4.2 with 2022 data for country level, and global sections 3.5 and 4.5 with revised data.

  12. Updated the following sections with the latest data: 2.2, 2.3, 3.1, 3.3, 3.4, 4.1, 4.3, 4.4.

  13. Sections 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 3.3, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 3.4, of UK trade in numbers (web version) updated with latest published data.

  14. Sections 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 3.3, 3.4, 4.1, 4.3, 4.4 of UK trade in numbers (web version) updated to include new data for December 2022. 3.2 and 4.2 were updated with new data for Q3 (July-September) 2022. Sections 6.1, 6.2, 6.4 and 6.5 updated to include new data for 2021.

  15. Updated with latest published data.

  16. Updated with latest published data.

  17. Updated with latest published data

  18. Sections 2.1 to 2.5, 3.1, 3.3, 3.4, 4.1, 4.3, 4.4 of UK trade in numbers (web version) updated with latest published data.

  19. Updated with latest published data

  20. Updated with latest published data.

  21. Updated with latest published data

  22. Updated with latest published data

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  24. Updating with latest published data.

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  27. Updated with the latest statistical data.

  28. Updated with the latest statistical data.

  29. Updated with the latest statistical data.

  30. Latest statistics published

  31. Publishing the latest statistics available.

  32. Amendments to visualisation

  33. Amended formatting on certain charts and visualisations.

  34. Updated with latest statistical data.

  35. UK Trade in Numbers pocketbook updated, with corrections. Source note updated. Corrections note added.

  36. First published.