UK goods exports rise in May

UK goods exports increased by 5.2% in volume during May, according to the latest trade figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Exports to non-EU countries recorded the strongest growth, rising by 7.7%. This was driven by increased sales of chemicals and pharmaceuticals, including exports to the United States, as well as machinery and transport goods.

Goods exports to the EU also increased, although at a more modest rate of 2.6%, with growth recorded across a range of product categories.

The figures for goods trade were positive overall, but the wider picture was more mixed. Services exports remained unchanged during May and have fallen over the latest three-month period. This is significant because services account for almost three-fifths of total UK exports.

Goods imports increased by 1.4% in May. Imports from non-EU countries rose by 3.3%, while imports from the EU fell by 0.4%, partly due to lower purchases of refined oil from the Netherlands and cars from Germany.

Read the full ONS trade data.