UK trade: May 2022

• Total imports of goods, excluding precious metals, increased by £2.2 billion (4.2%) in May 2022, primarily because of a £1.4 billion (5.2%) rise in imports from EU countries.

• Total exports of goods, excluding precious metals, increased by £2.3 billion (7.4%) in May 2022, driven by a £1.9 billion (12.7%) increase in exports to non-EU countries.

• The total trade in goods and services deficit, excluding precious metals, widened by £8.6 billion to £27.9 billion in the three months to May 2022 compared with the three months to February 2022.

• The trade in goods deficit, excluding precious metals, widened by £9.5 billion to £63.1 billion in the three months to May 2022 compared with the three months to February 2022, as imports of goods increased by £20.2 billion (14.6%), and exports increased by £10.7 billion (12.6%).

• Early estimates suggest that the trade in services surplus increased slightly by £0.9 billion in the three months to May 2022 compared with the three months to February 2022, reaching £35.2 billion.

EU imports

In January 2022, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) implemented a data collection change affecting data on imports from the EU to Great Britain (GB). As a result, our EU to GB import statistics from January 2022 are not directly comparable with previous months. HMRC has been investigating the scale of the transition from the Intrastat survey to customs declarations data. It has been evaluating the importer trader population in both datasets, to assess whether they represent a time series break between 2022 and previous years.

HMRC has concluded this investigation, and our article, Impact of trade in goods data collection changes on UK trade statistics: 2021 to 2022, discusses these conclusions in more detail. It concludes that when comparing the components of trade across both collection platforms, there is a discontinuity of around 6% by value between the two compilation methods. This discontinuity is a combination of data not previously collected under Intrastat. For example, Parcel Post and non-Value-Added-Tax (VAT) registered traders, along with a group of traders using a new or different Economic Operators Registration and Identification (EORI) number for their customs declarations.

While these investigations have concluded, the ongoing challenges arising from supply chain impacts and the global coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic result in a complicated trade narrative. We continue to advise caution when interpreting monthly trade statistics, particularly early estimates, and 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. It continues to be difficult to assess the extent to which trade movements reflect short-term trade disruption or longer-term supply chain adjustments.

Unless otherwise specified, data within this bulletin are in current or nominal prices. This means they have not been adjusted to remove the effects of inflation. Official estimates of price inflation have risen strongly in recent months, including for many UK import and export commodities. We recently published analysis explaining the impact of higher wholesale gas prices on imports and exports of fuels. We will continue to analyse the data closely to understand 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.

This section looks at the main trends in imports and exports firstly on a month-on-month and then three-month-on-three-month basis. The monthly analysis shows short-term trade movements, but it is important to note monthly data are erratic and therefore movements should be treated with caution. 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.

Monthly trends in goods

Total imports of goods increased by £2.2 billion (4.2%) in May 2022, because of increasing imports from EU and non-EU countries. Total exports of goods increased by £2.3 billion (7.4%) in May 2022, with increases in exports to both EU and non-EU countries (Table 1 and Figure 1). Goods exports to the EU reached £16.9 billion in May 2022, their highest level since the series began in 1997; likely related to rising prices in 2022. Removing the effect of inflation, exports to the EU, excluding unspecified goods, rose to £13.9 billion in May 2022, the highest levels since December 2020.

Imports from EU countries were £1.3 billion higher than from non-EU countries in May 2022. Imports from non-EU countries were 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 £0.2 billion higher than exports to EU countries in May 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. Exports to Russia increased slightly in May 2022 but remain low, while imports from Russia continue to decrease in May 2022, reaching the lowest levels since March 2004. We will continue to monitor the trade impact of the conflict and resulting sanctions in future releases. Our article, Trends in UK imports and exports of fuels discusses the effect of Russia's invasion of Ukraine on fuels trade. 

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: 2021 to 2022 provides more detail.

Figure 1: Imports and exports of goods have both increased in May 2022

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

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: 2021 to 2022 provides more detail.

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Three-monthly trends in goods

Total imports of goods increased by £20.2 billion (14.6%) in the three months to May 2022, compared with the three months to February 2022. Imports from both EU and non-EU countries increased during this time. Exports of goods over the same period increased by £10.7 billion (12.6%) because of increasing exports to both EU and non-EU countries.

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: 2021 to 2022 provides more detail.

Imports

Imports from the EU of material manufactures, and food and live animals, both increased by £0.3 billion in May 2022 compared with April 2022. Imports of chemicals and of fuels from the EU both increased by £0.2 billion. Imports from the EU increased across most other commodity groups, with only machinery and transport decreasing by a small amount (Figure 2).

Food and live animal imports are noticeably higher in May 2022 compared with previous months. Increases have been in part because of higher import prices, particularly in April and May 2022. Labour shortages, supply chain issues and increased input costs, exacerbated by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, have contributed to higher prices in the UK.

Imports of fuels from non-EU countries decreased by £0.6 billion in May 2022, as the UK imported less Liquified Natural Gas (LNG), the price of which was also lower in May 2022 compared with April 2022. This was offset by increases in imports of miscellaneous manufactures, and machinery and transport equipment, which both increased by £0.6 billion.

Figure 2: Imports of goods from non-EU countries increased in May 2022, driven by machinery and transport equipment

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

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: 2021 to 2022 provides more detail.

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Exports

Increases in exports to the EU were driven by an increase in machinery and transport equipment of £0.3 billion and an increase in fuels of £0.2 billion (Figure 3). The increase in machinery and transport equipment exports was driven by exports of ships and aircraft to France, and mechanical machinery to Germany. For fuels, Sweden and France received the biggest increases in UK oil exports.

The increase in exports to non-EU countries was driven by a £0.6 billion increase in exports of miscellaneous manufactures, and a £0.5 billion increase in exports of material manufactures. Chemicals and fuels exports also both increased by £0.3 billion. For miscellaneous manufactures, Qatar and Switzerland were the largest non-EU growth areas, with increasing exports of jewellery. For material manufactures, exports of non-ferrous metals to India and Switzerland rose in May 2022.

Figure 3: Exports of goods increased in May 2022, driven by machinery and transport equipment

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

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: 2021 to 2022 provides more detail.

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The UK’s total trade deficit for goods and services, excluding precious metals, widened by £8.6 billion to £27.9 billion in the three months to May 2022. Total imports increased by £20.2 billion to £204.7 billion and total exports increased by £11.6 billion to £176.8 billion (Figure 4).

The trade in goods deficit, excluding precious metals, widened by £9.5 billion to £63.1 billion in the three months to May 2022, driven by a £20.2 billion increase in goods imports.

Early estimates suggest the trade in services surplus increased by £0.9 billion to £35.2 billion in the three months to May 2022, driven by a £0.9 billion increase in services exports. Exports increased to £81.2 billion, while imports of services decreased slightly to £46.0 billion in the three months to May 2022.

Removing the effect of inflation, the total trade deficit, excluding unspecified goods, widened by £4.1 billion to £23.2 billion in the three months to May 2022. Imports increased by £8.3 billion to £178.4 billion, and exports increased by £4.3 billion to £155.2 billion.

Imports of goods in May 2022 were £16.0 billion (41.7%) higher than May 2021 levels, while exports increased by £5.7 billion (20.3%) 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 May 2018, imports increased by £13.5 billion (33.1%), while exports rose by £4.8 billion (16.3%).

Total imports and exports of goods increased in the three months to May 2022, compared with the same period in 2021. Exports increased by £9.8 billion (11.5%) when compared with the same period in 2018, while imports increased by £38.0 billion (31.5%).

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: 2021 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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Download 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 from January 2022 to May 2022 for both goods and services.

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 will be incorporated in the annual Blue Book publication in October 2022.

We have published an article providing users with an indicative estimate of the likely scale and impact of HMRC data corrections on the ONS trade statistics before their publication in the August 2022 UK trade statistics. These are due to be published in October 2022.

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.

Making our published spreadsheets accessible

Over the coming months, all Office for National Statistics (ONS) datasets will be reviewed to ensure they meet the accessibility standards outlined in the Government Statistical Service (GSS) guidance on releasing statistics in spreadsheets. This is to ensure that all GSS outputs meet Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, a legal requirement set out in The Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) Accessibility Regulations 2018.

We welcome any feedback on these changes. Share your feedback by emailing the statistical contact provided on this page.

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 ONS's 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.

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

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.