Statistics on UK-EU trade

The EU is an important trade partner for the UK: in 2023, UK exports of goods and services to the EU were £356 billion (42% of all UK exports). Imports from the EU were £466 billion (52% of the UK total).

Trade affected by Brexit and other factors

The UK’s trading relationship with the EU changed fundamentally after Brexit. The UK is now outside the EU single market and customs union. While there are no tariffs on trade in goods with the EU, subject to certain conditions, other barriers to trade are now higher. Brexit has also led to changes in the way data on trade in goods with the EU is collected. There is a structural break in the data from January 2021.

It is important to remember, however, that other factors, such as the covid-19 pandemic, the Ukraine conflict and disruption to global supply chains, have affected UK trade with the EU and other countries.

Little growth in goods exports

The UK’s recent trade performance in services has been much better than that for goods. UK goods exports to the EU fell sharply in January 2021 after the end of the Brexit transition period, before recovering strongly in February 2021. Goods exports to the EU remain below their pre-pandemic/Brexit level, however: in 2023, goods exports to the EU were 11% below their 2019 level in real terms. It is important to point out, however, that goods exports to the EU were growly slowly before Brexit and the pandemic. In addition, exports to non-EU countries in 2023 were also 11% below their 2019 level in real terms.

Services have performed better

UK exports of services to both EU and non-EU countries fell in 2020 but have grown strongly since then. In 2023, UK exports of services to the EU were 9% above their 2019 level in real terms. Exports to non-EU countries were 15% above their 2019 level.

EU share of UK trade

In 2023, the EU accounted for 42% of the UK’s exports (49% of goods exports and 36% of services exports). This share has been broadly stable over the last few years, although down from 47% in 2010 and 2011.

The EU accounted for 52% of UK imports in 2023 (55% of goods imports and 46% of services imports). The EU accounted for between 50% and 53% of UK imports between 2010 and 2020. This fell to 47-48% in 2021 and 2022. It increased to 52% in 2023, largely due to a fall in goods imports from non-EU countries, especially fuel.