News

UK Trade Gap Widens to Largest Since 2022
The United Kingdom trade deficit widened to £9.66 billion in March 2026, up from an upwardly revised £5.34 billion in the previous month, marking the largest trade gap since January 2022. Exports rose 0.2% month-on-month to £79.13 billion, while imports grew at a faster pace of 5.3% to a three-month high of £88.78 billion. Goods exports edged up 0.1% to £32.35 billion, driven by higher shipments to the EU (3.9%), while those to non-EU countries remained relatively unchanged. Exports to the EU increased due to a £0.6 billion rise in fuel exports and a £0.2 billion increase in chemical exports. Services exports ticked up 0.2% to £46.78 billion. On the import side, goods imports inched up 0.1% to £59.57 billion, with imports from the EU rising 2.7%, mainly driven by a £0.5 billion increase in fuel imports. Imports from non-EU countries rose 7.5%, supported by higher imports of machinery and transport equipment, along with fuel. Meanwhile, services imports were unchanged at £29.21 billion.
Published on 2026-05-14

UK Trade Gap Widens to Largest Since 2022
The United Kingdom trade deficit widened to £9.66 billion in March 2026, up from an upwardly revised £5.34 billion in the previous month, marking the largest trade gap since January 2022. Exports rose 0.2% month-on-month to £79.13 billion, while imports grew at a faster pace of 5.3% to a three-month high of £88.78 billion. Goods exports edged up 0.1% to £32.35 billion, driven by higher shipments to the EU (3.9%), while those to non-EU countries remained relatively unchanged. Exports to the EU increased due to a £0.6 billion rise in fuel exports and a £0.2 billion increase in chemical exports. Services exports ticked up 0.2% to £46.78 billion. On the import side, goods imports inched up 0.1% to £59.57 billion, while services imports were unchanged at £29.21 billion.
Published on 2026-05-14

UK Trade Balance Swings to Deficit
The UK posted a trade deficit of £0.72 billion in February 2026, shifting from a downwardly revised surplus of £3.12 billion in the previous month, as exports fell while imports rose. Exports dropped 1.5% month-on-month to £80.20 billion, while imports grew 3.2% to a three-month high of £80.92 billion. Goods exports declined 3.9% to £33.26 billion, weighed down by lower shipments to both the EU (-0.7%) and non-EU countries (-2.3%). Exports to the EU fell due to small declines across several commodities. Exports to non-EU markets were driven by a £0.3 billion fall in chemical exports, along with £0.2 billion decreases in exports of both machinery and transport equipment, and miscellaneous manufactures.
Published on 2026-04-16

UK Trade Balance Swings to Deficit
The UK posted a trade deficit of £0.72 billion in February 2026, shifting from a downwardly revised surplus of £3.02 billion in the previous month, as exports fell while imports rose. Exports dropped 1.5% mom to £80.20 billion, while imports grew 3.2% to a three-month high of £80.92 billion. Goods exports declined 3.9% to £33.26 billion, weighed down by lower shipments to both the EU (-0.7%) and non-EU countries (-2.3%). Exports to the EU fell due to small declines across several commodities. Exports to non-EU markets were driven by a £0.3 billion fall in chemical exports, along with £0.2 billion decreases in exports of both machinery and transport equipment, and miscellaneous manufactures. In contrast, exports of goods to the US rose 11.3%, amid higher machinery and transport equipment, and material manufactures. Services exports ticked up 0.3% to £46.95 billion. On the import side, goods imports grew 4.7% to £52.05 billion, while services imports rose 0.6% to £28.88 billion.
Published on 2026-04-16

UK Trade Balance Swings to Deficit
The UK posted a trade deficit of £0.72 billion in February 2026, shifting from a downwardly revised surplus of £3.12 billion in the previous month, as exports fell while imports rose. Exports dropped 1.5% month-on-month to £80.20 billion, while imports grew 3.2% to a three-month high of £80.92 billion.
Published on 2026-04-16

UK Trade Balance Swings to Deficit
The UK posted a trade deficit of £0.72 billion in February 2026, shifting from a downwardly revised surplus of £3.12 billion in the previous month, as exports fell while imports rose. Exports dropped 1.5% mom to £80.20 billion, while imports grew 3.2% to a three-month high of £80.92 billion. Goods exports declined 3.9% to £33.26 billion, weighed down by lower shipments to both the EU (-0.7%) and non-EU countries (-2.3%). Exports to the EU fell due to small declines across several commodities. Exports to non-EU markets were driven by a £0.3 billion fall in chemical exports, along with £0.2 billion decreases in exports of both machinery and transport equipment, and miscellaneous manufactures. In contrast, exports of goods to the US rose 11.3%, amid higher machinery and transport equipment, and material manufactures. Services exports ticked up 0.3% to £46.95 billion. On the import side, goods imports grew 4.7% to £52.05 billion, while services imports rose 0.6% to £28.88 billion.
Published on 2026-04-16

UK Trade Balance Swings to Surplus
The UK recorded a trade surplus of £3.92 billion in January 2026, a sharp reversal from a £4.34 billion deficit in the previous month. This marks the first surplus since September 2024, as exports increased and imports declined. Exports rose 7.2% month-on-month to a record £82.51 billion, while imports fell 3.3% to a one-year low of £78.59 billion. Goods exports climbed 6.7% to £35.53 billion, driven by higher shipments to both EU (6.2%) and non-EU countries (7.1%). Exports to the EU was due to increases in machinery and transport equipment as well as fuel exports. Exports to non-EU markets were led by chemicals, particularly medicinal and pharmaceutical products to China, Turkey, and Brazil. In contrast, exports of goods to the US fell 11.3%, amid lower sales of machinery and transport equipment, specifically cars. Services exports edged up 0.2% to £46.98 billion. On the import side, goods imports rose 0.6% to £49.98 billion, while services imports increased 0.4% to £28.61 billion.
Published on 2026-03-13

UK Trade Balance Swings to Surplus
The UK recorded a trade surplus of £3.92 billion in January 2026, a sharp reversal from a deficit of £4.34 billion in the previous month. This marks the first trade surplus since September 2024, as exports rose while imports dropped. Exports grew 7.2% month-on-month to a record high of £82.51 billion, while imports fell 3.3% to a one-year low of £78.59 billion.
Published on 2026-03-13

UK Trade Balance Swings to Surplus
The UK recorded a trade surplus of £3.92 billion in January 2026, a sharp reversal from a £4.34 billion deficit in the previous month. This marks the first surplus since September 2024, as exports increased and imports declined. Exports rose 7.2% month-on-month to a record £82.51 billion, while imports fell 3.3% to a one-year low of £78.59 billion. Goods exports climbed 6.7% to £35.53 billion, driven by higher shipments to both EU (6.2%) and non-EU countries (7.1%). Exports to the EU was due to increases in machinery and transport equipment as well as fuel exports. Exports to non-EU markets were led by chemicals, particularly medicinal and pharmaceutical products to China, Turkey, and Brazil. In contrast, exports of goods to the US fell 11.3%, amid lower sales of machinery and transport equipment, specifically cars. Services exports edged up 0.2% to £46.98 billion. On the import side, goods imports decreased 0.6% to £49.98 billion, while services imports rose 0.4% to £28.61 billion.
Published on 2026-03-13

UK Trade Balance Swings to Surplus
The UK recorded a trade surplus of £3.92 billion in January 2026, a sharp reversal from a deficit of £4.34 billion in the previous month. This marks the first trade surplus since September 2024, as exports rose while imports dropped. Exports grew 7.2% month-on-month to a record high of £82.51 billion, while imports fell 3.3% to a one-year low of £78.59 billion. Goods exports rose 6.7%, driven by higher shipments to both EU (6.2%) and non-EU countries. Exports to the EU were supported by increases in machinery and transport equipment, as well as fuel exports. Meanwhile, shipments to non-EU countries were led primarily by a rise in chemical exports, particularly medicinal and pharmaceutical products to China, Turkey, and Brazil.
Published on 2026-03-13

UK Trade Gap Smallest in 4 Months
The UK trade deficit narrowed to £4.34 billion in December 2025, down from a downwardly revised £5.56 billion in November. It marked the smallest trade gap since August, as exports fell less than imports. Exports dropped 1.0% mom to a three-month low of £76.96 billion, while imports fell 2.4% to a three-month low of £81.30 billion. Goods exports shrank 3.2% mom to a three-month low of £30.09 billion, driven by lower shipments to EU countries (-4.4%) and non-EU countries (-1.9%).
Published on 2026-02-12

UK Trade Gap Smallest in 4 Months
The UK trade deficit narrowed to £4.34 billion in December 2025, down from a downwardly revised £5.56 billion in November. It marked the smallest trade gap since August, as exports fell less than imports. Exports dropped 1.0% mom to a three-month low of £76.96 billion, while imports fell 2.4% to a three-month low of £81.30 billion. Goods exports shrank 3.2% mom to a three-month low of £30.09 billion, driven by lower shipments to EU countries (-1.9%) and non-EU countries (-4.4%), mainly driven by a decline in exports of medicinal and pharmaceutical products to China, Japan, and South Korea.
Published on 2026-02-12

UK Trade Gap Smallest in 4 Months
The UK trade deficit narrowed to £4.34 billion in December 2025, down from a downwardly revised £5.56 billion in November. It marked the smallest trade gap since August, as exports fell less than imports. Exports dropped 1.0% mom to a three-month low of £76.96 billion, while imports fell 2.4% to a three-month low of £81.30 billion. Goods exports shrank 3.2% mom to a three-month low of £30.09 billion, driven by lower shipments to EU countries (-1.9%) and non-EU countries (-4.4%).
Published on 2026-02-12

UK Trade Gap Smallest in 4 Months
The UK trade deficit narrowed to £4.34 billion in December 2025, down from a downwardly revised £5.56 billion in November. It marked the smallest trade gap since August, as exports fell less than imports. Exports dropped 1.0% month-on-month to a three-month low of £76.96 billion, while imports fell 2.4% to a three-month low of £81.30 billion. Goods exports shrank 3.2% mom to a three-month low of £30.09 billion, driven by lower shipments to EU countries (-1.9%) and non-EU countries (-4.4%), mainly reflecting a decline in exports of medicinal and pharmaceutical products to China, Japan, and South Korea. By contrast, exports of goods to the US, including precious metals, rose 2.5% due to higher exports of medicinal and pharmaceutical products and inorganic chemicals. Meanwhile, services exports grew 0.5% to £46.87 billion. On the import side, goods imports fell 3.4% to a three-month low of £52.81 billion, while services imports fell 0.5% to a three-month low of £28.49 billion.
Published on 2026-02-12

UK Trade Gap Smallest in 4 Months
The UK trade deficit narrowed to £4.34 billion in December 2025, down from a downwardly revised £5.56 billion in November. It marked the smallest trade gap since August, as exports fell less than imports. Exports dropped 1.0% mom to a three-month low of £76.96 billion, while imports fell 2.4% to a three-month low of £81.30 billion. Goods exports shrank 3.2% mom to a three-month low of £30.09 billion, driven by lower shipments to EU countries (-1.9%) and non-EU countries (-4.4%), mainly driven by a decline in exports of medicinal and pharmaceutical products to China, Japan, and South Korea. By contrast, exports of goods to the US, including precious metals, rose 2.5% due to higher exports of medicinal and pharmaceutical products and inorganic chemicals, which were partially offset by small falls in exports of most other commodities.
Published on 2026-02-12

UK Trade Deficit Narrows in November
The UK trade deficit narrowed to £6.12 billion in November 2025, down from an upwardly revised £6.53 billion in October, as exports rose while imports were unchanged. Exports grew 0.6% mom to a three-month high of £77.19 billion, while imports were almost flat at £83.31 billion. Goods exports increased 1.9% mom to a three-month high of £31.37 billion, boosted by higher shipments to EU countries (2.8%), mainly driven by increased exports of medicinal and pharmaceutical products to Germany and France. Goods exports to non-EU countries also rose 1.1%, primarily due to higher exports of machinery and transport equipment. Conversely, exports of goods to the US, including precious metals, fell 10.4% due to lower exports of medicinal and pharmaceutical products and inorganic chemicals. Meanwhile, services exports fell 0.3% to a five-month low of £45.82 billion. On the import side, goods imports rose 0.2% to £55.08 billion, while services imports fell 0.3% to a six-month low of £28.23 billion.
Published on 2026-01-15

UK Trade Deficit Narrows in November
The UK trade deficit narrowed to £6.12 billion in November 2025, down from an upwardly revised £6.53 billion in October, as exports rose while imports were unchanged. Exports grew 0.6% month-on-month to a three-month high of £77.19 billion, while imports were almost flat at £83.31 billion. Goods exports increased 1.9% month-on-month to a three-month high of £31.37 billion, boosted by higher shipments to EU countries (2.8%), mainly driven by increased exports of medicinal and pharmaceutical products to Germany, Ireland, and France. Goods exports to non-EU countries also rose 1.1%, primarily due to higher exports of machinery and transport equipment, including cars, to China and the US. Conversely, exports of goods to the US, including precious metals, fell 10.4% due to lower exports of medicinal and pharmaceutical products and inorganic chemicals.
Published on 2026-01-15

UK Trade Gap Largest in 8 Months
The UK trade deficit widened to £4.82 billion in October 2025, up from £1.09 billion in September, marking the largest gap since February. Exports fell 0.3% month-on-month to a four-month low of £77.00 billion, while imports rose 4.5% to a seven-month high of £81.82 billion. Goods exports fell 0.8% month-on-month to a four-month low of £30.96 billion, weighed down by lower shipments to non-EU countries (-3.0%), due to smaller increases in exports of most commodities. By contrast, goods exports to the EU rose 1.7%, primarily due to higher exports of machinery and transport equipment, including mechanical power generators to Spain. Exports of goods to the US, including precious metals, jumped 27.0% in October, following two consecutive monthly declines. Services exports edged up 0.1% to £46.04 billion. On the import side, goods imports rose 6.8% to an eight-month high of £53.51 billion, while services imports increased 0.4% to a four-month high of £28.32 billion.
Published on 2025-12-12

UK Trade Gap Largest in 8 Months
The UK trade deficit widened to £4.82 billion in October 2025, up from £1.09 billion in September, marking the largest gap since February. Exports fell 0.3% month-on-month to a four-month low of £77.00 billion, while imports rose 4.5% to a seven-month high of £81.82 billion. Goods exports fell 0.8% month-on-month to a four-month low of £30.96 billion, weighed down by lower shipments to non-EU countries (-3.0%), due to smaller increases in exports of most commodities. By contrast, goods exports to the EU rose 1.7%, primarily due to higher exports of machinery and transport equipment, including mechanical power generators to Spain. Exports of goods to the US, including precious metals, jumped 27.0% in October, following two consecutive monthly declines. Services exports edged up 0.1% to £46.04 billion. On the import side, goods imports rose 6.8% to an eight-month high of £53.51 billion, while services imports increased 0.4% to a four-month high of £28.32 billion.
Published on 2025-12-12

UK Trade Gap Smallest in 8 Months
The UK trade deficit narrowed to £1.09 billion in September 2025, down from a downwardly revised £1.28 billion in August, marking the smallest gap since January. Exports fell 0.9% mom to a three-month low of £77.21 billion, while imports shrank 1.1% to an eight-month low of £78.30 billion. Goods exports dropped 1.2%, weighed down by a 2.7% fall in shipments to the EU, primarily due to lower fuel exports, including reduced shipments of crude oil to Poland, Denmark, and Germany. Exports to non-EU countries fell 8.0%, largely driven by lower shipments of machinery and transport equipment, including cars, to China and the US. Exports of goods to the US, including precious metals, fell 11.4% in September, the lowest level since January 2022, mostly due to declines in commodities. Services exports also fell 0.7% to a five-month low of £45.99 billion. On the import side, goods imports dropped 2.0% to an eight-month low of £50.10 billion, while services imports rose 0.4% to £28.20 billion.
Published on 2025-11-13