UK regional trade in goods statistics, third quarter, July to September 2024: commentary
Published 11 December 2024
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UK regional trade in goods summary
Unscheduled corrections have been made to UK regional trade in goods statistics data in 2020 to 2023. This is in line with those applied to UK Overseas trade in goods statistics.
The published RTS statistics show a decline in the UK’s SITC 1- Beverages & Tobacco exports. We are currently conducting a review following the introduction of new Customs Procedure Codes (CPC) in 2024. We will ensure our statistics reflect any changes after the review process has concluded, if required. Please exercise caution when reporting or using these figures in the meantime.
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 September 2024, the overall value of UK trade in goods decreased by 6.3% for exports and by 5.6% 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 experienced a decrease in the value of imports
- export values for the North East, East Midlands, West Midlands and South West increased while all other English regions experienced decreases
- import values decreased for all English regions
England’s trade in goods
In the year ending September 2024, compared with the year ending September 2023:
England’s exports of goods to EU countries were worth £123 billion (down £12.0 billion, 8.9%). The largest decrease in EU exports was in SITC 34 - Gas, natural & manufactured (down £4.8 billion, 63%). The largest decrease in EU exports was to Belgium (down £4.3 billion, 24%).
England’s exports of goods to non-EU countries were worth £136 billion (down £0.2 billion, 0.1%). The largest decrease in non-EU exports was in SITC 54 - Medicinal & pharmaceutical products (down £1.0 billion, 9.0%). The largest decrease in non-EU exports was to Turkey (down £0.6 billion, 12%).
In the year ending September 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 4.0%.
England’s imports of goods from EU countries were worth £241 billion (down £4.8 billion, 2.0%). The largest decrease in EU imports was in SITC 54 - Medicinal & pharmaceutical products (down £1.6 billion, 12%). The largest decrease in EU imports was from the Netherlands (down £5.4 billion, 13%).
England’s imports of goods from non-EU countries were worth £193 billion (down £20.9 billion, 9.8%). The largest decrease in non-EU imports was in SITC 34 - Gas, natural & manufactured (down £9.7 billion, 49%). The largest decrease in non-EU imports was from the USA (down £5.6 billion, 12%).
In the year ending September 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 10KB)
Note: 2024 data is provisional
Wales’ trade in goods
In the year ending September 2024, compared with the year ending September 2023:
Wales’ exports of goods to EU countries were worth £10.7 billion (down £0.9 billion, 8.0%). The largest decrease in EU exports was in SITC 33 - Petroleum, petroleum products & related materials (down £0.8 billion, 39%). The largest decrease in EU exports was to Ireland (down £0.5 billion, 21%).
Wales’ exports of goods to non-EU countries were worth £7.3 billion (down £1.0 billion, 12%). The largest decrease in non-EU exports was in SITC 33 - Petroleum, petroleum products & related materials (down £0.9 billion, 56%). The largest decrease in non-EU exports was to the USA (down £0.7 billion, 21%).
Wales’ imports of goods from EU countries were worth £7.6 billion (down £0.2 billion, 2.3%). The largest decrease in EU imports was in SITC 68 - Non-ferrous metals (down £0.2 billion, 46%). The largest decrease in EU imports was from Germany (down £0.1 billion, 8.6%).
Wales’ imports of goods from non-EU countries were worth £13.3 billion (down £1.0 billion, 6.8%). The largest decrease in non-EU imports was in SITC 33 - Petroleum, petroleum products & related materials (down £0.8 billion, 13%). The largest decrease in non-EU imports was from Norway (down £0.5 billion, 55%).
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 10KB)
Note: 2024 data is provisional
Scotland’s trade in goods
In the year ending September 2024, compared with the year ending September 2023:
Scotland’s exports of goods to EU countries were worth £17.6 billion (down £3.1 billion, 15%). The largest decrease in EU exports was in SITC 33 - Petroleum, petroleum products & related materials (down £1.1 billion, 12%). The largest decrease in EU exports was to the Netherlands (down £1.6 billion, 23%).
Scotland’s exports of goods to non-EU countries were worth £13.6 billion (down £0.8 billion, 5.4%). The largest decrease in non-EU exports was in SITC 11 - Beverages (down £1.2 billion, 32%). The largest decrease in non-EU exports was to the USA (down £0.2 billion, 4.5%).
Scotland’s imports of goods from EU countries were worth £11.6 billion (down £0.5 billion, 4.3%). The largest decrease in EU imports was in SITC 71 - Power generating machinery & equipment (down £0.1 billion, 7.8%). The largest decrease in EU imports was from the Netherlands (down £0.3 billion, 13%).
Scotland’s imports of goods from non-EU countries were worth £15.8 billion (down £4.3 billion, 21%). The largest decrease in non-EU imports was in SITC 34 - Gas, natural & manufactured (down £3.4 billion, 50%). The largest decrease in non-EU imports was from Norway (down £2.7 billion, 41%).
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 10KB)
Note: 2024 data is provisional
Northern Ireland’s trade in goods
In the year ending September 2024, compared with the year ending September 2023:
Northern Ireland’s exports of goods to EU countries were worth £6.9 billion (a small value decrease, down 0.2%). The largest decrease in EU exports was in SITC 57 - Plastics in primary forms (down £0.1 billion, 27%). The largest decrease in EU exports was to Belgium (down £0.1 billion, 20%).
Northern Ireland’s exports of goods to non-EU countries were worth £4.3 billion (up £0.6 billion, 16%). The largest increase in non-EU exports was in SITC 54 - Medicinal & pharmaceutical products (up £0.5 billion, more than doubling in value). The largest increase in non-EU exports was to the USA (up £0.6 billion, 47%).
Northern Ireland’s imports of goods from EU countries were worth £6.7 billion (a small value increase, up 0.3%). The largest increase in EU imports was in SITC 09 - Miscellaneous edible products & preparations (up £0.1 billion, 76%). The largest increase in EU imports was from Ireland (up £0.1 billion, 2.2%).
Northern Ireland’s imports of goods from non-EU countries were worth £3.0 billion (down £0.1 billion, 4.2%). The largest decrease in non-EU imports was in SITC 57 - Plastics in primary forms (down £0.1 billion, 42%). The largest decrease in non-EU imports was from the USA (down £0.1 billion, 10%).
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 10KB)
Note: 2024 data is provisional