UK regional trade in goods statistics, fourth quarter, October to December 2024: commentary
Published 20 March 2025
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UK regional trade in goods summary
During the final checks of the Regional trade in goods statistics (RTS) production process, errors were identified in the 2024 net mass (kg) data for UK exports. These errors are in the SITC 74 (General Industrial Machinery) and SITC 77 (Electrical Machinery & Appliances). We are currently investigating the nature of these errors.
The 2024 trade statistics are provisional and subject to changes. Any corrections will be made after our review. Please exercise caution when using or sharing this data.
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. Figures are not adjusted for inflation or seasonality, so please take caution when making comparisons with historic data.
In the year ending December 2024, the overall value of UK trade in goods decreased by 5.6% for exports and by 3.5% for imports, when compared with the previous year. At a regional level:
- all UK countries, except Northern Ireland, experienced a decrease in the value of exports
- all UK countries, except Northern Ireland, experienced a decrease in the value of imports
- export values for the North East, West Midlands and South West increased while all other English regions experienced decreases
- import values for the North West and West Midlands increased while all other English regions experienced decreases
England’s trade in goods
In the year ending December 2024, compared with the year ending December 2023.
England’s exports of goods to EU countries were worth £120 billion (down £11.0 billion, 8.4%). The largest decrease in EU exports was in SITC 34 - Gas, natural & manufactured (down £2.8 billion, 54%). The largest decrease in EU exports was to Ireland (down £3.7 billion, 22%).
England’s exports of goods to non-EU countries were worth £134 billion (down £0.9 billion, 0.6%). The largest decrease in non-EU exports was in SITC 71 - Power generating machinery & equipment (down £1.4 billion, 6.7%). The largest decrease in non-EU exports was to South Korea (down £1.1 billion, 29%).
In the year ending December 2024, the largest English export region, by value, was the South East, accounting for 11% of the UK’s total exports of goods, whilst the smallest was the North East, accounting for 3.9%.
England’s imports of goods from EU countries were worth £238 billion (down £8.5 billion, 3.4%). The largest decrease in EU imports was in SITC 78 - Road vehicles (down £2.6 billion, 5.2%). The largest decrease in EU imports was from the Netherlands (down £4.4 billion, 11%).
England’s imports of goods from non-EU countries were worth £194 billion (down £9.2 billion, 4.5%). The largest decrease in non-EU imports was in SITC 34 - Gas, natural & manufactured (down £4.8 billion, 34%). The largest decrease in non-EU imports was from the USA (down £1.8 billion, 4.3%).
In the year ending December 2024, the largest English import region, by value, was the South East, accounting for 19% of the UK’s total imports of goods, whilst the smallest was the North East, accounting for 2.7%.
Figure 1: England’s trade in goods, January to March (Q1) 2020 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 (ODS 12.4 KB)
Note: 2024 data is provisional
Wales’ trade in goods
In the year ending December 2024, compared with the year ending December 2023.
Wales’ exports of goods to EU countries were worth £10.0 billion (down £1.5 billion, 13%). The largest decrease in EU exports was in SITC 33 - Petroleum, petroleum products & related materials (down £1.0 billion, 50%). The largest decrease in EU exports was to Ireland (down £0.7 billion, 29%).
Wales’ exports of goods to non-EU countries were worth £6.5 billion (down £1.4 billion, 18%). The largest decrease in non-EU exports was in SITC 33 - Petroleum, petroleum products & related materials (down £1.0 billion, 73%). The largest decrease in non-EU exports was to the USA (down £0.7 billion, 24%).
Wales’ imports of goods from EU countries were worth £7.7 billion (up £0.1 billion, 0.7%). The largest increase in EU imports was in SITC 79 - Other transport equipment (up £0.3 billion, 62%). The largest increase in EU imports was from Ireland (up £0.1 billion, 42%).
Wales’ imports of goods from non-EU countries were worth £13.0 billion (down £0.6 billion, 4.3%). The largest decrease in non-EU imports was in SITC 33 - Petroleum, petroleum products & related materials (down £0.5 billion, 8.6%). The largest decrease in non-EU imports was from Nigeria (down £0.5 billion, 79%).
Figure 2: Wales’ trade in goods, January to March (Q1) 2020 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 (ODS 11.9 KB)
Note: 2024 data is provisional
Scotland’s trade in goods
In the year ending December 2024, compared with the year ending December 2023.
Scotland’s exports of goods to EU countries were worth £17.7 billion (down £1.6 billion, 8.5%). The largest decrease in EU exports was in SITC 33 - Petroleum, petroleum products & related materials (down £0.6 billion, 7.1%). The largest decrease in EU exports was to the Netherlands (down £1.1 billion, 17%).
Scotland’s exports of goods to non-EU countries were worth £14.6 billion (up £0.4 billion, 3.1%). The largest increase in non-EU exports was in SITC 33 - Petroleum, petroleum products & related materials (up £0.4 billion, more than 2.5 times the value ). The largest increase in non-EU exports was to China (up £0.3 billion, 41%).
Scotland’s imports of goods from EU countries were worth £11.3 billion (down £1.0 billion, 7.8%). The largest decrease in EU imports was in SITC 71 - Power generating machinery & equipment (down £0.3 billion, 22%). The largest decrease in EU imports was from the Netherlands (down £0.5 billion, 19%).
Scotland’s imports of goods from non-EU countries were worth £15.7 billion (down £2.0 billion, 11%). The largest decrease in non-EU imports was in SITC 34 - Gas, natural & manufactured (down £1.4 billion, 28%). The largest decrease in non-EU imports was from Norway (down £1.1 billion, 22%).
Figure 3: Scotland’s trade in goods, January to March (Q1) 2020 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 (ODS 12 KB)
Note: 2024 data is provisional
Northern Ireland’s trade in goods
In the year ending December 2024, compared with the year ending December 2023.
Northern Ireland’s exports of goods to EU countries were worth £7.1 billion (up £0.1 billion, 1.9%). The largest increase in EU exports was in SITC 78 - Road vehicles (up £0.1 billion, 25%). The largest increase in EU exports was to Ireland (up £0.3 billion, 6.2%).
Northern Ireland’s exports of goods to non-EU countries were worth £4.0 billion (a small value decrease, down 0.2%). The largest decrease in non-EU exports was in SITC 72 - Machinery specialized for particular industries (down £0.2 billion, 22%). The largest decrease in non-EU exports was to Australia (down £0.1 billion, 31%).
Northern Ireland’s imports of goods from EU countries were worth £6.8 billion (up £0.1 billion, 2.1%). The largest increase in EU imports was in SITC 09 - Miscellaneous edible products & preparations (up £0.1 billion, 61%). The largest increase in EU imports was from Ireland (up £0.1 billion, 3.4%).
Northern Ireland’s imports of goods from non-EU countries were worth £3.1 billion (a small value increase, up 1.1%). The largest increase in non-EU imports was in SITC 87 - Professional and scientific instruments (a small value increase, up 88%). The largest increase in non-EU imports was from China (up £0.1 billion, 14%).
Figure 4: Northern Ireland’s trade in goods, January to March (Q1) 2020 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 (ODS 12.2 KB)
Note: 2024 data is provisional