UK trade: August 2022

• In August 2022 the value of imports of goods rose by more than that of exports, with high gas prices having a strong impact.

• Total imports of goods, excluding precious metals, increased by £3.1 billion (5.7%) in August 2022 because of a £3.5 billion (13.3%) rise in imports from non-EU countries, while imports from EU countries decreased by £0.5 billion (1.9%).

• Total exports of goods, excluding precious metals, increased by £0.4 billion (1.2%) in August 2022, driven by a £0.7 billion (4.1%) increase in exports to non-EU countries, while exports to EU countries decreased by £0.3 billion (1.5%).

• The increase in imports from non-EU countries in August 2022 was primarily driven by higher imports of fuels and machinery and transport equipment, which increased by £2.7 billion and £0.9 billion, respectively.

• For the three months to August 2022, the total trade in goods and services deficit, excluding precious metals, widened by £0.2 billion to £25.6 billion compared with the three months to May 2022.

• The trade in goods deficit, excluding precious metals, widened by £0.9 billion to £61.9 billion in the three months to August 2022, driven by a £4.7 billion increase in goods imports.

• Early estimates suggest the trade in services surplus widened by £0.7 billion to £36.3 billion in the three months to August 2022, driven by a £3.0 billion increase in services exports.

• Removing the effect of inflation, the total trade deficit, excluding precious metals, narrowed by £6.5 billion to £11.9 billion in the three months to August 2022.

In January 2022, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) implemented a data collection change affecting data on imports from the EU to Great Britain (GB). This followed a similar data collection change in January 2021 for data on exports of goods to the EU from Great Britain.

Our article, Impact of trade in goods data collection changes on UK trade statistics: 2020 to 2022 provides more detail on the discontinuity found between the two compilation methods.

We are considering possible options to account for this discontinuity. We advise caution when interpreting monthly trade statistics that span the periods when data collection changes were made.

Separately, the use of Staged Customs Controls (SCC) in 2021 allowed the customs declaration to be reported up to 175 days after the date of import for imports of non-controlled goods from the EU to GB. Full customs controls were introduced in January 2022, as such last month (July 2022) marked the first full month of data where delayed customs declarations submitted under SCC could not be included, however it is too early to determine the effect of SCC on import data in 2022.

We will keep users informed of any further changes in data collection.

The UK leaving the EU and the subsequent transition period, along with the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, supply chain disruption and global recession, have caused higher levels of volatility in trade statistics in the past two years. Comparing 2022 with equivalent 2018 data provides comparisons of recent UK trade estimates with our most recent "stable" period. We also compare 2022 levels with 2021. The monthly analysis shows short-term trade movements, but it is important to note that monthly data are erratic and therefore movements should be treated with caution.

Unless otherwise specified, data within this bulletin are in current prices and have not been adjusted to remove the effects of inflation. Official estimates of price inflation have risen strongly in recent months, and we will continue to monitor the impact of price changes on UK imports and exports. Chained volume measures data, which have had the effect of inflation removed, can be found in our UK trade publication tables and UK trade time series.

Monthly trends in goods

Total imports of goods increased by £3.1 billion (5.7%) in August 2022, because of a rise in imports from non-EU countries. Total exports of goods increased by £0.4 billion (1.2%) in August 2022, driven by increases in exports to non-EU countries (Table 1 and Figure 1).

Imports from non-EU countries were at £30.2 billion in August 2022, the highest level since records began in January 1997. Imports from non-EU countries were £4.1 billion higher than from EU countries in August 2022; this is in line with the position of imports from non-EU countries being higher than imports from the EU for all of 2021, linked to the large increases in the imports of fuels in the last months of 2021. Exports to non-EU countries were £1.0 billion lower than exports to EU countries in August 2022.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine began on 24 February 2022 and, in response, the UK government imposed a range of economic sanctions on Russia from late February and early March 2022. Our article, The impact of sanctions on UK trade with Russia discusses the effect of the economic sanctions applied on UK trade in goods. Imports from and exports to Russia decreased further in August 2022, and remain at historically low levels. We will continue to monitor the trade impact of the conflict and resulting sanctions in future releases.

Figure 1: Imports and exports of goods from/to non-EU countries have both increased in August 2022

EU and non-EU goods imports and exports, excluding precious metals, August 2019 to August 2022

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Notes:

1. Caution should be taken when interpreting these data as HM Revenue and Customs changed the collection methods for EU trade from January 2022. Our article, Impact of trade in goods data collection changes on UK trade statistics: 2020 to 2022 provides more detail.

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Three-monthly trends in goods

Total imports of goods increased by £4.7 billion (3.0%) in the three months to August 2022, compared with the three months to May 2022. Imports from non-EU countries increased during this time, while imports from EU countries decreased. Exports of goods over the same period increased by £3.9 billion (4.0%) because of increasing exports to both EU and non-EU countries.

Imports

Imports from the EU decreased in August, with a £0.4 billion fall in imports of machinery and transport equipment and a £0.2 billion decrease in imports of material manufactures partially offset by small increases in chemicals and crude materials (Figure 2). The fall in imports of machinery and transport equipment in August was because of reduced car imports from Germany, France and Italy.

Imports of fuels from non-EU countries increased by £2.7 billion in August, with increased imports of gas from Norway and Qatar, and of crude oil from the USA. Machinery and transport equipment imports from non-EU countries also increased in August 2022, by £0.9 billion, driven by higher imports from China attributed to cars and electrical machinery, electrical machinery from the USA and ships from South Korea.

Figure 2: Imports of goods from non-EU countries increased in August 2022, with the largest increase seen in gas imports

EU and non-EU goods imports by commodity, August 2020 to August 2022

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Notes:

1. Caution should be taken when interpreting these data as HM Revenue and Customs changed the collection methods for EU trade from January 2022. Our article, Impact of trade in goods data collection changes on UK trade statistics: 2020 to 2022 provides more detail.

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Although the total value of fuel imported from non-EU countries increased substantially in August, the volume imported increased by only a relatively small amount. The large increase in gas imports in August therefore reflects rising gas prices; as of August 2022, the System Average Price (SAP) of gas reached the highest peak in the series.

Exports

The decrease in exports to the EU was driven by a drop in exports of chemicals (£0.3 billion) and fuels (£0.1 billion) along with smaller increases in most other commodities (Figure 4). The decrease in exports of chemicals was driven by decreasing exports of organic chemicals to Ireland.

The increase in exports to non-EU countries was driven by large increases in exports of machinery and transport equipment (£0.5 billion), miscellaneous manufactures (£0.3 billion), and fuels (£0.3 billion). Exports of machinery and transport equipment saw the largest increase in August 2022, driven by increases in exports of aircrafts to Qatar. The rise in exports of miscellaneous manufactures was because of higher exports of works of art to the USA and South Korea.

Figure 4: Exports of goods to non-EU countries increased in August 2022, driven by increasing exports of machinery and transport equipment

EU and non-EU goods exports by commodity, August 2020 to August 2022

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Notes:

1. Caution should be taken when interpreting these data as HM Revenue and Customs changed the collection methods for EU trade from January 2022. Our article, Impact of trade in goods data collection changes on UK trade statistics: 2020 to 2022 provides more detail.

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The UK's total trade deficit for goods and services, excluding precious metals, widened by £0.2 billion to £25.6 billion in the three months to August 2022. Total imports increased by £7.1 billion to £219.4 billion, and total exports increased by £6.8 to £193.8 billion (Figure 5).

Removing the effect of inflation, the total trade deficit, excluding precious metals, narrowed by £6.5 billion to £11.9 billion in the three months to August 2022. Exports increased by £2.5 billion to £165.1 billion, and imports decreased by £4.0 billion to £177.0 billion in chained volume terms.

The trade in goods deficit, excluding precious metals, in current prices widened by £0.9 billion to £61.9 billion in the three months to August 2022, driven by a £4.7 billion increase in goods imports.

Early estimates suggest the trade in services surplus widened by £0.7 billion to £36.3 billion in the three months to August 2022, driven by a £3.0 billion increase in services exports. Imports increased to £57.0 billion, while exports of services increased to £93.3 billion in the three months to August 2022.

Imports of goods in August 2022 were £17.2 billion (44.0%) higher than August 2021 levels, while exports increased by £9.1 billion (35.6%) over the same period (Table 3). As 2021 data were strongly affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and the end of the EU exit transition period, we have also compared them with 2018 trade data. Compared with August 2018, imports increased by £14.0 billion (33.2%), while exports rose by £4.8 billion (16.2%).

Total imports and exports of goods increased in the three months to August 2022, compared with the same period in 2021. Exports increased by £10.4 billion (11.5%) when compared with the same period in 2018, while imports increased by £37.7 billion (30.2%).

Notes:

1. Caution should be taken when interpreting these data as HM Revenue and Customs changed the collection methods for EU trade from January 2022. Our article, Impact of trade in goods data collection changes on UK trade statistics: 2020 to 2022 provides more detail.

Explore the 2021 trade in goods data using our interactive tools. Our data break down UK trade in goods with 234 countries by 125 commodities.

Use our map to get a better understanding of what goods the UK traded with a country. Select a country by hovering over it or using the drop-down menu.

Notes:

1. For more information about our methods and how we compile these statistics, please see Trade in goods, country-by-commodity experimental data: 2011 to 2016. Users should note that the data published alongside this release are official statistics and no longer experimental.

2. These data are our best estimate of these bilateral UK trade flows. Users should note that alternative estimates are available, in some cases, through the statistical agencies for bilateral countries or through central databases such as UN Comtrade.

3. This interactive map denotes country boundaries in accordance with statistical classifications set out within Appendix 4 of the Balance of Payments (BoP) Vademecum (PDF, 1.1MB) and do not represent the UK policy on disputed territories.

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You can also explore the 2021 trade in goods data by commodity, such as car exports to the EU and UK tea or coffee imports.

Select a commodity from the drop-down menu or click through the levels to explore the data.

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Notes:

1. For more information about our methods and how we compile these statistics, please see Trade in goods, country-by-commodity experimental data: 2011 to 2016. Users should note that the data published alongside this release are no longer experimental.

2. These data are our best estimate of these bilateral UK trade flows. Users should note that alternative estimates are available, in some cases, via the statistical agencies for bilateral countries or through central databases such as UN Comtrade.

3. These interactive charts denote country boundaries in accordance with statistical classifications set out within Appendix 4 of the Balance of Payments (BoP) Vademecum (PDF, 1.1MB) and does not represent the UK policy on disputed territories.

In accordance with the National Accounts Revisions Policy, the data in this release have been revised back to January 1997 when compared with trade figures published in our previous bulletin on 12 September 2022. Data in this release are consistent with estimates published in the quarterly gross domestic product (GDP), sector accounts and Balance of payments releases published on 30 September 2022. These data are consistent with Blue Book and Pink Book 2022.

As previously communicated in our Methodological improvements to UK trade and GDP article, this includes the introduction of two methodological improvements to UK trade estimates; these relate to deflation of gas imports (trade in goods) and estimates of travel services because of methodological improvements to the International Passenger Survey (IPS). The implementation of a new gas deflator has contributed downward revisions to real trade imports from 2021 onwards, whereas the IPS update has increased the nominal levels of both imports and exports of travel services back to 2009.

HM Revenue and Customs unscheduled correction

Following the publication of UK trade: April 2021, an error was identified in the HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) overseas trade data used to compile the Office for National Statistics' (ONS) UK trade statistics.

Revisions for the period January 2020 to February 2021 were published in our UK trade: May 2021 bulletin on 9 July 2021, taking place outside of the usual National Accounts revisions period in order to ensure the ONS trade figures reflected the most up-to-date position. Revisions for pre-2020 have now been incorporated too.

Chained volume measures (CVMs)

CVM estimates are a "real" measure in that they have had the effect of inflation removed to measure the change in volume between consecutive periods, fixing the prices of goods and services in one period (the base year).

Current price measures (CPs)

These estimates measure the actual price paid for goods or services and are not adjusted for inflation. Unless otherwise stated, all current price data are provided in £ million and are seasonally adjusted.

Inflation

Inflation is the change in the average price level of goods and services over a period of time.

Implied deflators (IDEFs)

An IDEF shows the implied change in average prices for the respective components of the trade balance, for example, the IDEF for imports will show the average price movement for imports.

Precious metals and non-monetary gold

Precious metals include precious metals, silver, platinum and palladium, and it forms part of the commodity group "unspecified goods". Non-monetary gold comprises the majority of this group and is the technical term for gold bullion not owned by central banks.

Trade balance

The trade balance is the difference between exports and imports or exports minus imports. When the value of exports is greater than the value of imports, the trade balance is in surplus. When the value of imports is greater than the value of exports, the trade balance is in deficit. The balance is sometimes referred to as "net exports".

A full Glossary of economic terms is available.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) data impact

Because of the challenges of data collection during the coronavirus pandemic, we have experienced challenges around the level of survey and data returns for this trade release.

Data sources

Data from the quarterly International Trade in Services (ITIS) Survey make up over 50% of trade in services data. View our UK trade QMI for more detail.

Data from the International Passenger Survey (IPS) are the main source for travel services, historically making up around 8% of total imports. Following suspension of the survey in 2020 the survey has now largely resumed, with a very small number of ports yet to have resumed interviewing. IPS data are being used with a small adjustment to account for the reduction in sample size, and we continue to quality assure our estimates using complimentary data sources. However, we advise continued caution when using these data until the IPS is fully operational. View our UK trade QMI for more detail.

Data from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) make up over 90% of trade in goods value and are the main source. We have worked closely with HMRC to prepare for the change in collection of customs data, which occurred at the end of the EU exit transition period. View further information in our article, Impact of EU exit on the collection and compilation of UK trade statistics.

In line with international standards, our headline trade statistics contain the UK's exports and imports of non-monetary gold. View more information about the Office for National Statistics' (ONS) recording of non-monetary gold. Unless otherwise specified, data within this bulletin are in current prices. This means they have not been adjusted to remove the effects of inflation.

Method

Trade is measured through both exports and imports of goods and services. Data are supplied by over 30 sources including several administrative sources, with HMRC being the largest for trade in goods.

Office for National Statistics (ONS) UK trade figures are produced on a country of dispatch basis, which records imports as coming from the country dispatching the shipments. However, trade figures can also be produced on a country-of-origin basis as is used by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). Users should be aware of the different accounting methods used, and the resulting differences across trade figures.

View more detailed information about the methods used to produce UK trade statistics on our UK trade methodology web pages.

National Statistics designation status

The UK Statistics Authority suspended the National Statistics designation of UK trade (PDF, 72.9KB) on 14 November 2014. We have now responded to all of the specific requirements of thereassessment of UK trade and, as part of our engagement with the Office for Statistics Regulation team, we are sharing our continuous improvement and development plans to support UK trade statistics regaining National Statistics status. We welcome feedback on our new trade statistics, developments and future plans by email to trade@ons.gov.uk.

Trade asymmetries

Asymmetries can be caused by a range of conceptual and measurement variations between the estimation practices of different countries. Statistical agencies are likely to have different source data, estimation methods, and methodological, geographical and definitional differences. More information on trade in goods asymmetries is published by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), while analysis on trade in services asymmetries is published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

More quality and methodology information on strengths, limitations, appropriate uses, and how the data were created is available in our UK trade QMI.