The UK’s goods trade deficit narrowed to a four-month low of £18.66 billion in May 2026, down from a downwardly revised £24.58 billion in the previous month, compared with market expectations of a £23.6 billion shortfall. Goods exports grew 7.0% month-on-month to £35.86 billion, driven by higher shipments to both EU and non-EU countries, which rose 1.8% and 7.3%, respectively. Exports to the EU increased due to a rise across several commodities. Meanwhile, exports to non-EU countries were mainly driven by higher chemical exports. On the import side, goods imports fell 6.2% to a four-month low of £54.52 billion, with imports from EU countries declining 1.2%, mainly due to a drop in machinery and transport equipment. Meanwhile, imports from non-EU countries rose 3.2%. source: Office for National Statistics

Goods Trade Balance in the United Kingdom increased to -18660 GBP Million in May from -24580 GBP Million in April of 2026. Goods Trade Balance in the United Kingdom averaged -5030.83 GBP Million from 1970 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 775.00 GBP Million in January of 1981 and a record low of -27154.00 GBP Million in March of 2026. This page provides - United Kingdom Goods Trade Balance- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news. United Kingdom Goods Trade Balance - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on July of 2026.

Goods Trade Balance in the United Kingdom increased to -18660 GBP Million in May from -24580 GBP Million in April of 2026. Goods Trade Balance in the United Kingdom is expected to be -18500.00 GBP Million by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the United Kingdom Goods Trade Balance is projected to trend around -16800.00 GBP Million in 2027 and -16500.00 GBP Million in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-06-12 06:00 AM
Goods Trade Balance
Apr £-26.05B £-27.22B £-22.5B £-20.5B
2026-07-16 06:00 AM
Goods Trade Balance
May £-18.66B £-24.58B £-23.6B £-20.2B
2026-08-13 06:00 AM
Goods Trade Balance
Jun £-18.66B £-19.8B


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Balance of Trade -1044.00 -7053.00 GBP Million May 2026
Capital Flows 5660.00 18096.00 GBP Million Mar 2026
Current Account -22134.00 -27178.00 GBP Million Mar 2026
Current Account to GDP -2.40 -3.00 percent of GDP Dec 2025
Exports 82911.00 80639.00 GBP Million May 2026
External Debt 8472849.00 8221019.00 GBP Million Mar 2026
Net Foreign Direct Investment 14470.00 9965.00 GBP Million Mar 2026
Goods Exports 35855.00 33523.00 GBP Million May 2026
Goods Imports 54515.00 58106.00 GBP Million May 2026
Goods Trade Balance -18660.00 -24583.00 GBP Million May 2026
Imports 83955.00 87692.00 GBP Million May 2026


United Kingdom Goods Trade Balance
The UK’s goods trade deficit has continued to widen in recent years, driven by a stronger pound that boosted domestic demand and imports while weighing on exports. This trend has been compounded by significant shifts in US trade policy. Following the Trump administration’s announcement of new import tariffs on 2 April 2025, many UK businesses reported being affected by the measures. In response, the UK government signed a new trade agreement with the US, effective 30 June 2025. The deal reduced tariffs on UK car exports and removed duties on aluminum and steel, while a 10% blanket tariff remains in place for all other UK exports to the US.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
-18660.00 -24583.00 775.00 -27154.00 1970 - 2026 GBP Million Monthly
Current Prices, SA