In 2021, the main goods commodity the United Kingdom (UK) exported to European Union (EU) countries was machinery and transport equipment, including vehicles, cars, railway vehicles, and aircrafts among others. The UK imported more machinery and transport equipment from the EU than it exported to the EU in the same year, resulting in a trade deficit in this category.

The European Union's total Exports in 2024 were valued at US$2.80 Trillion, according to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade. The European Union's main export partners were: the United States, the United Kingdom and China. The top three export commodities were: Machinery, nuclear reactors, boilers; Pharmaceutical products and Vehicles other than railway, tramway. Total Imports were valued at US$2.64 Trillion. In 2024, The European Union had a trade surplus of US$159.68 Billion.

As of the third quarter of 2025, the value of goods exported to the European Union from the United Kingdom was just under 45.1 billion British pounds, compared with around 81.2 billion pounds of goods imported, resulting in a negative goods trade balance with the EU of 36.1 billion pounds.

Cars were the most valuable type of commodity exported from the United Kingdom in 2024, with exports of this commodity valued at approximately 32.9 billion British pounds. Mechanical power generators were the second-most valuable commodity in 2024, with an export value of around 32.7 billion pounds in this year. By comparison, the most valuable import commodity was also cars, amounting to over 38.4 billion British pounds. The next most valuable import commodity was medicinal and pharmaceutical products at over 27.2 million pounds in this year. UK main trading partners Although the share of both imports and exports from the European Union has been declining recently, the single market is still by far the UK's main trading partner. In terms of individual countries, the United States was the main export partner in 2024 at 16.1 percent of all exports, while Germany was the UK's main import partner with 12.5 percent of imports coming from there in 2024. A main argument of the Leave vote, was that the UK should seek to improve up its trade with the rest of the world, outside of Europe. The success of this 'Global Britain' strategy, depends on the UK significantly scaling up its trade with other continents, with countries outside of Europe still responsible for far less trade than European ones. Brexit and EU trade At the start of 2021, the United Kingdom exited both the European Single Market and the European Customs Union, with the UK's trading relationship with the EU now determined by a new Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA). Although the TCA continued tariff and quota-free goods trade between the EU and UK, a number of customs checks came into force, increasing trade friction between the two parties. The status of Northern Ireland in the initial agreement was also different from the rest of the UK. Goods entering Northern Ireland from Great Britain were initially subject to customs checks, to prevent customs checks occurring at the border with the Republic of Ireland. In February 2023, it was announced that under a new EU-UK agreement called the Windsor Framework, some goods entering Northern Ireland from Britain will be subject to fewer checks.

The export trade of the European Union experienced some notable shifts over the two decades since 2002, with China emerging as a significant export market and the United Kingdom losing its place as the EU's single largest export partner. The United Kingdom's declining share of EU exports The UK, which was a member of the European Union until 2020, declined in its importance as an export market for EU producers over this period. Representing over a fifth of the export trade in 2002, the UK now takes only 13 percent of EU exports, and looks likely to be eclipsed by China's growing share in the coming years. The complications to EU-UK trade caused by the UK's exit agreement with the EU is also likely to contribute to slowing trade flows between the two partners. China's emergence as a key export market As with most other areas of the global economy, the past two decades has largely been the story of China's emergence as a key trading partner. China's share of EU exports was comparable to Japan or Norway at the beginning of the period, while it now represents the EU's third largest export market. While this is a significant change, China takes up a much larger share of imports into the EU, where it is the largest single trading partner. As Chinese incomes rise in the coming decades, the significance of China as an export market for EU producers is likely to rise, geopolitical tension notwithstanding. The Euro and exports to the U.S. The EU's export trade with the United States over this period experienced a relative decline in the period running up to 2014, as the Euro appreciated in its value against the U.S. dollar, making European exports more expensive for Americans. This declining share of the EU's export trade taken by the U.S. was reversed in the latter half of the 2010s however, as the Euro depreciated and European exports to the U.S. increased. Issues with Russia Another notable trend over the period was Russia's emergence as a key export market in the mid-2000s, as the Russian economy grew quickly and Russian consumers began to demand EU made products. Russia declined as a market for EU exports after 2014, as trade was complicated by Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea from Ukraine, and the subsequent devaluation of the Ruble and collapse in the price of Ural crude oil.

Exports in the United Kingdom decreased to 77419 GBP Million in August from 78375 GBP Million in July of 2025. This dataset provides - United Kingdom Exports - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Bulgaria Exports: FOB: European Union excl UK (EU 27E) data was reported at 2,134.400 EUR mn in Jan 2025. This records an increase from the previous number of 1,919.300 EUR mn for Dec 2024. Bulgaria Exports: FOB: European Union excl UK (EU 27E) data is updated monthly, averaging 2,184.400 EUR mn from Jan 2020 (Median) to Jan 2025, with 61 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 2,855.100 EUR mn in May 2022 and a record low of 1,250.200 EUR mn in Apr 2020. Bulgaria Exports: FOB: European Union excl UK (EU 27E) data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Bulgarian National Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Bulgaria – Table BG.JA004: Exports: by Main Trade Partners.

The United Kingdom's total Exports in 2024 were valued at US$508.69 Billion, according to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade. The United Kingdom's main export partners were: the United States, China and Germany. The top three export commodities were: Machinery, nuclear reactors, boilers; Pearls, precious stones, metals, coins and Vehicles other than railway, tramway. Total Imports were valued at US$809.21 Billion. In 2024, The United Kingdom had a trade deficit of US$300.52 Billion.

Ireland Exports: EU excl UK: Other Manufactured Articles data was reported at 442.877 EUR mn in May 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 486.714 EUR mn for Apr 2018. Ireland Exports: EU excl UK: Other Manufactured Articles data is updated monthly, averaging 332.379 EUR mn from Jan 2000 (Median) to May 2018, with 221 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 531.805 EUR mn in Mar 2016 and a record low of 176.762 EUR mn in Aug 2006. Ireland Exports: EU excl UK: Other Manufactured Articles data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Central Statistics Office of Ireland. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Ireland – Table IE.JA002: Exports: by Main Trade Partner and Standard International Trade Classification.

Experimental dataset providing a breakdown of UK trade in services by industry, country and service type on a balance of payments basis. Data are subject to disclosure control.

The biggest export destination of papers and boards from the United Kingdom in 2024 was the European Union (EU-27), accounting for ** percent of total exports. The EU has consistently been the biggest export destination for UK papers and boards, followed by the Americas and Asia.

Ireland Exports: EU excl UK: Manufactured Goods data was reported at 77.764 EUR mn in May 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 80.683 EUR mn for Apr 2018. Ireland Exports: EU excl UK: Manufactured Goods data is updated monthly, averaging 66.417 EUR mn from Jan 2000 (Median) to May 2018, with 221 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 89.694 EUR mn in Mar 2001 and a record low of 39.863 EUR mn in Dec 2009. Ireland Exports: EU excl UK: Manufactured Goods data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Central Statistics Office of Ireland. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Ireland – Table IE.JA002: Exports: by Main Trade Partner and Standard International Trade Classification.

Monthly data on the UK's trade in goods and services, including trade inside and outside the EU. This replaces our previous dataset, UK trade: goods and services (up until July 2018).

Ireland Exports: EU excl UK: Machinery and Transport Equipt data was reported at 488.748 EUR mn in May 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 420.768 EUR mn for Apr 2018. Ireland Exports: EU excl UK: Machinery and Transport Equipt data is updated monthly, averaging 666.711 EUR mn from Jan 2000 (Median) to May 2018, with 221 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1,779.491 EUR mn in Dec 2000 and a record low of 258.872 EUR mn in Jul 2012. Ireland Exports: EU excl UK: Machinery and Transport Equipt data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Central Statistics Office of Ireland. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Ireland – Table IE.JA002: Exports: by Main Trade Partner and Standard International Trade Classification.

Regional Trade Statistics Custom tables, UK Trade info from HMRC. Key Points: 1) In the decade to 2011, the value of London’s food exports rose by £0.7 billion to £1.8 billion. As a share of all goods exported from the capital, food’s share has remained stable at around 5 per cent. 2) The value of beverage exports make up the largest proportion of London’s food exports, which at £821.4 million made up 46 per cent of all London food exports in 2011.Over two-fifths of these beverage exports were to EU countries, with a further 34 per cent destined for Asia and Oceania. 3) The EU is the largest market region for London’s food exports, accounting for half of all exports by value. Asia and Oceania was the second most important region in 2011. Looking at individual countries, in 2011 the Irish Republic had the highest total value of food exports from London (with a 14 per cent share of London’s global food exports), followed by France and Hong Kong respectively. Relevant link: https://www.uktradeinfo.com/Statistics/BuildYourOwnTables/Pages/Table.aspx

This statistic shows a distribution of Northern Ireland exports to other countries within the European Union (excluding Republic of Ireland) in 2020, by country. That year, Germany was Northern Ireland's biggest EU export market, with approximately a quarter of all sales, followed by the Netherlands and France.

Estimated value of exports, imports and balance of services for 2023 for International Territorial Levels (ITLs) 1, 2 and 3, and city regions. Includes EU and non-EU split along with data for top 20 partner countries. These are official statistics in development.