Accredited official statistics

UK regional trade in goods statistics, first quarter, January to March 2025: commentary

Published 11 June 2025

UK regional trade in goods summary

We are currently investigating trade data under SITC 71 – Power Generating Machinery and Equipment. It has been identified that some movements related to maintenance and repair have been recorded under the correct commodity codes, but without the additional information required for accurate classification under the special trade system of international trade statistics.

While some revisions have been applied to 2025 and 2024 data, further updates will be made if required as per HMRC’s policy on revisions. Investigations are ongoing to determine whether earlier data periods are also affected.

Users are advised to exercise caution when using data related to SITC 71 and its breakdowns, as figures may be subject to further revision.

This commentary reports the UK’s regional trade in goods statistics by broad area (EU and non-EU), Country and Standard International Trade Classification (SITC) Revision 4. Users must refer to the explanatory notes accompanying this commentary, covering data sources and compilation methodology. Aggregated data can be found in our accompanying tables.

Trade in goods values (£) are reported in current prices. Values are not adjusted for inflation or seasonality, so please take caution when making comparisons with historic data.

In the year ending March 2025, the overall value of UK trade in goods decreased by 3.6% for exports and increased by 0.8% for imports, when compared with the previous year. At a regional level:

• Scotland experienced an increase in the value of exports, while all other UK countries experienced decreases
• England and Northern Ireland experienced an increase in the value of imports, while Wales and Scotland saw decreases
• export values for the North East increased while all other English regions experienced decreases
• import values for the North West, Yorkshire and the Humber, West Midlands, and South East increased while all other English regions experienced decreases

England’s trade in goods

In the year ending March 2025, compared with the year ending March 2024:

England’s exports of goods to EU countries were worth £119 billion, a reduction of 7.3% or £9.4 billion. The largest decrease in EU exports was in SITC 51 - Organic chemicals, a reduction of 60% or £3.1 billion. The largest decrease in EU exports was to Ireland, a reduction of 23% or £3.9 billion.

England’s exports of goods to non-EU countries were worth £137 billion, an increase of 1.0% or £1.3 billion. The largest increase in non-EU exports was in SITC 68 - Non-ferrous metals, an increase of 45% or £3.1 billion. The largest increase in non-EU exports was to the USA, an increase of 9.4% or £4.1 billion.

In the year ending March 2025, the largest English export region by value was the South East, accounting for 11% of the UK’s total exports of goods. The smallest was the North East, accounting for 4.1%.

England’s imports of goods from EU countries were worth £237 billion, a reduction of 2.5% or £6.0 billion. The largest decrease in EU imports was in SITC 78 - Road vehicles, a reduction of 6.4% or £3.1 billion. The largest decrease in EU imports was from Germany, a reduction of 6.2% or £3.9 billion.

England’s imports of goods from non-EU countries were worth £199 billion, an increase of 3.6% or £6.9 billion. The largest increase in non-EU imports was in SITC 34 - Gas, natural & manufactured, an increase of 17% or £1.7 billion. The largest increase in non-EU imports was from China, an increase of 6.9% or £3.0 billion.

In the year ending March 2025, the largest English import region by value was the South East, accounting for 19% of the UK’s total imports of goods. The smallest was the North East, accounting for 2.6%.

Figure 1: England’s trade in goods, first quarter, January to March 2021 onwards

Figure 1 shows a time series of England’s trade in goods with EU and non-EU countries, for both exports and imports.

Source: UK regional trade in goods statistics from HM Revenue & Customs

Download figure 1: England’s trade in goods, first quarter, January to March 2021 onwards (ODS 12.1 KB)

Note: 2024 and 2025 data is provisional

Wales’ trade in goods

In the year ending March 2025, compared with the year ending March 2024:

Wales’ exports of goods to EU countries were worth £9.5 billion, a reduction of 15% or £1.7 billion. The largest decrease in EU exports was in SITC 33 - Petroleum, petroleum products & related materials, a reduction of 59% or £1.1 billion. The largest decrease in EU exports was to Ireland, a reduction of 30% or £0.7 billion.

Wales’ exports of goods to non-EU countries were worth £5.7 billion, a reduction of 27% or £2.2 billion. The largest decrease in non-EU exports was in SITC 33 - Petroleum, petroleum products & related materials, a reduction of 95% or £1.3 billion. The largest decrease in non-EU exports was to the USA, a reduction of 31% or £0.9 billion.

Wales’ imports of goods from EU countries were worth £7.7 billion, an increase of 2.3% or £0.2 billion. The largest increase in EU imports was in SITC 67 - Iron & steel, up £0.3 billion, more than doubling in value. The largest increase in EU imports was from the Netherlands, an increase of 9.9% or £0.1 billion.

Wales’ imports of goods from non-EU countries were worth £12.5 billion, a reduction of 6.7% or £0.9 billion. The largest decrease in non-EU imports was in SITC 33 - Petroleum, petroleum products & related materials, a reduction of 12% or £0.6 billion. The largest decrease in non-EU imports was from Norway, a reduction of 54% or £0.3 billion.

Figure 2: Wales’ trade in goods, first quarter, January to March 2021 onwards

Figure 2 shows a time series of Wales’ trade in goods with EU and non-EU countries, for both exports and imports.

Source: UK regional trade in goods statistics from HM Revenue & Customs

Download figure 2: Wales’ trade in goods, first quarter, January to March 2021 onwards (ODS 11.8 KB)

Note: 2024 and 2025 data is provisional

Scotland’s trade in goods

In the year ending March 2025, compared with the year ending March 2024:

Scotland’s exports of goods to EU countries were worth £18.0 billion, a reduction of 0.4% or £0.1 billion. The largest decrease in EU exports was in SITC 79 - Other transport equipment, a reduction of 27% or £0.1 billion. The largest decrease in EU exports was to Sweden, a reduction of 41% or £0.5 billion.

Scotland’s exports of goods to non-EU countries were worth £15.2 billion, an increase of 7.6% or £1.1 billion. The largest increase in non-EU exports was in SITC 33 - Petroleum, petroleum products & related materials, up £0.7 billion, equating to four times the value. The largest increase in non-EU exports was to China, an increase of 61% or £0.5 billion.

Scotland’s imports of goods from EU countries were worth £11.4 billion, a reduction of 5.4% or £0.6 billion. The largest decrease in EU imports was in SITC 71 - Power generating machinery & equipment, a reduction of 26% or £0.3 billion. The largest decrease in EU imports was from France, a reduction of 29% or £0.4 billion.

Scotland’s imports of goods from non-EU countries were worth £16.4 billion, an increase of 0.9% or £0.1 billion. The largest increase in non-EU imports was in SITC 34 - Gas, natural & manufactured, an increase of 9.9% or £0.4 billion. The largest increase in non-EU imports was from Norway, an increase of 10% or £0.4 billion.

Figure 3: Scotland’s trade in goods, first quarter, January to March 2021 onwards

Figure 3 shows a time series of Scotland’s trade in goods with EU and non-EU countries, for both exports and imports.

Source: UK regional trade in goods statistics from HM Revenue & Customs

Download figure 3: Scotland’s trade in goods first quarter, January to March, 2021 onwards (ODS 11.9 KB)

Note: 2024 and 2025 data is provisional

Northern Ireland’s trade in goods

In the year ending March 2025, compared with the year ending March 2024:

Northern Ireland’s exports of goods to EU countries were worth £6.7 billion, a reduction of 0.9% or £0.1 billion. The largest decrease in EU exports was in SITC 66 - Non-metallic mineral manufactures, a reduction of 51% or £0.1 billion. The largest decrease in EU exports was to Belgium, a reduction of 62% or £0.2 billion.

Northern Ireland’s exports of goods to non-EU countries were worth £3.9 billion, a reduction of 8.4% or £0.4 billion. The largest decrease in non-EU exports was in SITC 54 - Medicinal & pharmaceutical products, a reduction of 26% or £0.2 billion. The largest decrease in non-EU exports was to the USA, a reduction of 18% or £0.3 billion.

Northern Ireland’s imports of goods from EU countries were worth £7.0 billion, an increase of 5.3% or £0.4 billion. The largest increase in EU imports was in SITC 79 - Other transport equipment, an increase of 30% or £0.1 billion. The largest increase in EU imports was from Ireland, an increase of 5.7% or £0.2 billion.

Northern Ireland’s imports of goods from non-EU countries were worth £3.1 billion, an increase of 3.3% or £0.1 billion. The largest increase in non-EU imports was in SITC 87 - Professional and scientific instruments, a small value increase, up 99%. The largest increase in non-EU imports was from China, an increase of 13% or £0.1 billion.

Figure 4: Northern Ireland’s trade in goods, first quarter, January to March 2021 onwards

Figure 4 shows a time series of Northern Ireland’s trade in goods with EU and non-EU countries, for both exports and imports.

Source: UK regional trade in goods statistics from HM Revenue & Customs

Download figure 4: Northern Ireland’s trade in goods, first quarter, January to March 2021 onwards (ODS 12 KB)

Note: 2024 and 2025 data is provisional