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Overseas Trade Statistics - EU Latest Release
The value of UK trade fell sharply for both imports and exports in December 2012, with exports falling by £2.4 billion, and imports falling by £3.0 billion. These are the lowest monthly totals since August 2010.
Imports fell more than exports. This resulted in a decrease of 11.1 per cent in the difference between UK imports from the EU and exports to the EU.This difference is now £4.3 billion, the lowest since May 2012.
Key Points
- For trade with EU Member States, the value of both imports and exports fell sharply compared to November 2012.
- The UK’s EU exports have decreased by £2.4 billion (18.1 per cent) compared to November 2012, to £11.1 billion. Compared to December 2011 exports have decreased by £1.0 billion (8.3 per cent).
- The UK’s EU imports have decreased by £3.0 billion (16.2 per cent) compared to November 2012, to £15.4 billion. Compared to December 2011 imports decreased by £0.4 billion (2.8 per cent).
- The UK remains a net importer (imports are greater than exports). The size of difference between imports and exports is now £4.3 billion, a decrease of £0.5 billion (11.1 per cent).
- The first estimate of total exports for 2012 is £150.3 billion compared with £158.3 billion in 2011.
- The first estimate of total imports from 2012 is £206.0 billion compared with £202.6 billion in 2011.