UK regional trade in goods statistics, first quarter, January to March 2024: commentary
Published 13 June 2024
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Regional trade in goods summary
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.
Please note that trade in goods values are in current prices. Figures are not adjusted for inflation or global economic events, so please take caution when making comparisons with historic data.
In the year ending March 2024, the overall value of UK trade in goods decreased by 5.9% for exports and by 8.7% for imports, when compared with the previous year. At a regional level:
- all UK countries experienced a decrease in the value of exports, except for Northern Ireland which increased
- all UK countries experienced a decrease in the value of imports
- export values for the North East, East Midlands, and West Midlands increased while all other English regions experienced decreases
- import values decreased for all English regions
England’s trade in goods
In the year ending March 2024, compared with the year ending March 2023:
England’s goods exports to EU countries were worth £126 billion (bn) (down £9.8bn, 7.2%). The largest decrease in EU exports was in SITC 33 - Petroleum, petroleum products & related materials (down £4.4bn, 31%). The largest decrease in EU exports was to the Netherlands (down £6.4bn, 26%).
England’s goods exports to non-EU countries were worth £136bn (down £1.9bn, 1.4%). The largest decrease in non-EU exports was in SITC 68 - Non-ferrous metals (down £3.1bn, 31%). The largest decrease in non-EU exports was to Canada (down £0.8bn, 18%).
In the year ending March 2024, the largest English export region was the South East, accounting for 11% of the UK’s total goods exports, whilst the smallest was the North East, accounting for 3.8%.
England’s goods imports from EU countries were worth £243bn (down £0.3bn, 0.1%). The largest decrease in EU imports was in SITC 54 - Medicinal & pharmaceutical products (down £3.2bn, 21%). The largest decrease in EU imports was from the Netherlands (down £5.5bn, 12%).
England’s goods imports from non-EU countries were worth £193bn (down £40.3bn, 17%). The largest decrease in non-EU imports was in SITC 34 - Gas, natural & manufactured (down £21.1bn, 68%). The largest decrease in non-EU imports was from Norway (down £10.7bn, 44%).
In the year ending March 2024, the largest English import region was the South East, accounting for 19% of the UK’s total goods imports, whilst the smallest was the North East, accounting for 2.6%.
Figure 1: England’s goods trade, Quarter 1 January to March 2020 onwards
Figure 1 shows a time series of England’s goods trade with EU and non-EU countries, for both exports and imports. England’s all four goods flows showed declines in the latest quarter.
Source: UK regional trade in goods statistics from HM Revenue & Customs
Download detailed data for Figure 1: England’s goods trade (ODS 9.84 KB)
Note: 2023 and 2024 data are provisional
Wales’ trade in goods
In the year ending March 2024, compared with the year ending March 2023:
Wales’ goods exports to EU countries were worth £11.2bn (down £0.7bn, 6.1%). The largest decrease in EU exports was in SITC 33 - Petroleum, petroleum products & related materials (down £0.7bn, 28%). The largest decrease in EU exports was to Ireland (down £0.6bn, 21%).
Wales’ goods exports to non-EU countries were worth £7.9bn (down £1.0bn, 11%). The largest decrease in non-EU exports was in SITC 33 - Petroleum, petroleum products & related materials (down £0.6bn, 30%). The largest decrease in non-EU exports was to the USA (down £0.6bn, 18%).
Wales’ goods imports from EU countries were worth £7.5bn (down £0.5bn, 6.0%). The largest decrease in EU imports was in SITC 59 - Chemical materials & products n.e.s. (down £0.2bn, 43%). The largest decrease in EU imports was from Ireland (down £0.3bn, 50%).
Wales’ goods imports from non-EU countries were worth £13.4bn (down £2.5bn, 16%). The largest decrease in non-EU imports was in SITC 33 - Petroleum, petroleum products & related materials (down £1.5bn, 22%). The largest decrease in non-EU imports was from Norway (down £0.4bn, 38%).
Figure 2: Wales’ goods trade, Quarter 1 January to March 2020 onwards
Figure 2 shows a time series of Wales’ goods trade with EU and non-EU countries, for both exports and imports. Wales’ goods exports and EU imports showed declines in the latest quarter, whereas Non-EU imports experienced a quarterly increase.
Source: UK regional trade in goods statistics from HM Revenue & Customs
Download detailed data for Figure 2: Wales’ goods trade (ODS 9.72 KB)
Note: 2023 and 2024 data are provisional
Scotland’s trade in goods
In the year ending March 2024, compared with the year ending March 2023:
Scotland’s goods exports to EU countries were worth £18.0bn (down £4.3bn, 19%). The largest decrease in EU exports was in SITC 33 - Petroleum, petroleum products & related materials (down £2.3bn, 23%). The largest decrease in EU exports was to Ireland (down £1.8bn, 48%).
Scotland’s goods exports to non-EU countries were worth £14.1bn (down £0.8bn, 5.7%). The largest decrease in non-EU exports was in SITC 11 - Beverages (down £0.5bn, 12%). The largest decrease in non-EU exports was to India (down £0.1bn, 20%).
Scotland’s goods imports from EU countries were worth £12.0bn (a small value increase, up 0.2%). The largest increase in EU imports was in SITC 71 - Power generating machinery & equipment (up £0.3bn, 33%). The largest increase in EU imports was from France (up £0.3bn, 26%).
Scotland’s goods imports from non-EU countries were worth £16.2bn (down £7.7bn, 32%). The largest decrease in non-EU imports was in SITC 34 - Gas, natural & manufactured (down £6.1bn, 61%). The largest decrease in non-EU imports was from Norway (down £5.3bn, 56%).
Figure 3: Scotland’s goods trade, Quarter 1 January to March 2020 onwards
Figure 3 shows a time series of Scotland’s goods trade with EU and non-EU countries, for both exports and imports. Scotland’s all four goods flows showed declines in the latest quarter.
Source: UK regional trade in goods statistics from HM Revenue & Customs
Download detailed data for Figure 3: Scotland’s goods trade (ODS 9.63 KB)
Note: 2023 and 2024 data are provisional
Northern Ireland’s trade in goods
In the year ending March 2024, compared with the year ending March 2023:
Northern Ireland’s goods exports to EU countries were worth £6.8bn (up £0.3bn, 4.4%). The largest increase in EU exports was in SITC 66 - Non-metallic mineral manufactures n.e.s. (up £0.1bn, 86%). The largest increase in EU exports was to Belgium (up £0.1bn, 31%).
Northern Ireland’s goods exports to non-EU countries were worth £4.2bn (up £0.8bn, 24%). The largest increase in non-EU exports was in SITC 54 - Medicinal & pharmaceutical products (up £0.4bn, 89%). The largest increase in non-EU exports was to the USA (up £0.7bn, 61%).
Northern Ireland’s goods imports from EU countries were worth £6.5bn (down £0.2bn, 2.6%). The largest decrease in EU imports was in SITC 02 - Dairy products & birds’ eggs (down £0.1bn, 33%). The largest decrease in EU imports was from Ireland (down £0.2bn, 4.6%).
Northern Ireland’s goods imports from non-EU countries were worth £3.0bn (down £0.2bn, 5.0%). The largest decrease in non-EU imports was in SITC 32 - Coal, coke & briquettes (down £0.1bn, 44%). The largest decrease in non-EU imports was from China (down £0.1bn, 9.5%).
Figure 4: Northern Ireland’s goods trade, Quarter 1 January to March 2020 onwards
Figure 4 shows a time series of Northern Ireland’s goods trade with EU and non-EU countries, for both exports and imports. Northern Ireland’s goods imports and Non-EU exports showed declines in the latest quarter, whereas EU exports experienced a quarterly increase.
Source: UK regional trade in goods statistics from HM Revenue & Customs
Download detailed data for Figure 4: Northern Ireland’s goods trade (ODS 9.61 KB)
Note: 2023 and 2024 data are provisional