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That dollar amount reflects a -18.8% setback since 2013 but an 8.1% uptick from one year earlier in 2016.
From January to September 2018, UK’s exported goods were valued at $368.7 billion. This 9-month metric puts UK exports on track for an annualized $491.6 billion estimated for all 2018.
Based on estimates from the Central Intelligence Agency’s World Factbook, United Kingdom’s exported goods plus services represent 30.1% of total UK economic output or Gross Domestic Product. The analysis below focuses on exported products only.
From a continental perspective, 54.4% of UK exports by value were delivered to other European trade partners with almost 48% going to European Union members. Another 22.6% was sold to Asian importers while the United Kingdom shipped 15% worth to North America. Smaller percentages arrived in Africa (2.5%), Oceania led by Australia and New Zealand (1.6%) and Latin America excluding Mexico but including the Caribbean (1.4%).
Given United Kingdom’s population of 64.8 million people, its total $444.5 billion in 2017 exports translates to roughly 6,900 for every resident in that country.
United Kingdom’s unemployment rate was 4.3% as of November 2017 down from 4.8% one year earlier, according to Trading Economics.
United Kingdom’s Top 10 Exports
Top 10
The following export product groups represent the highest dollar value in UK global shipments during 2017. Also shown is the percentage share each export category represents in terms of overall exports from United Kingdom.
- Machinery including computers: US$68 billion (15.3% of total exports)
- Vehicles: $53.7 billion (12.1%)
- Mineral fuels including oil: $35.6 billion (8%)
- Gems, precious metals: $32.8 billion (7.4%)
- Pharmaceuticals: $32.8 billion (7.4%)
- Electrical machinery, equipment: $28.6 billion (6.4%)
- Aircraft, spacecraft: $21.1 billion (4.7%)
- Optical, technical, medical apparatus: $18.1 billion (4.1%)
- Plastics, plastic articles: $12 billion (2.7%)
- Organic chemicals: $10.3 billion (2.3%)
Note that the results listed above are at the categorized two-digit Harmonized Tariff System (HTS) code level. For a more granular view of exported goods at the four-digit HTS code level, see the section Searchable List of UK’s Most Valuable Export Products further down near the bottom of this article.
United Kingdom’s top 10 exports accounted for more than two-thirds (70.4%) of the overall value of its global shipments.
Mineral fuels including oil was the fastest-growing export product among the top 10 categories, up 38.4% from 2016 to 2017 led by increased international sales revenue for UK’s crude oil, refined petroleum oils and petroleum gases.
In second place for improving export sales was the gems and precious metals category which gained 15.2% spearheaded by significant international sales of gold, platinum and diamonds.
UK exported gems and precious metals posted the third-fastest gain in value up 12.8%, trailed by a 10% increase for exported plastics and plastic articles.
Advantages
The following types of UK product shipments represent positive net exports or a trade balance surplus. Investopedia defines net exports as the value of a country’s total exports minus the value of its total imports.
In a nutshell, net exports represent the amount by which foreign spending on a home country’s goods or services exceeds or lags the home country’s spending on foreign goods or services.
- Aircraft, spacecraft: US$6.2 billion (Up by 238.9% since 2016)
- Collector items, art, antiques: $3.7 billion (Up by 9.3%)
- Beverages, spirits, vinegar: $1.9 billion (Up by 18.3%)
- Other chemical goods: $1.4 billion (Down by -19.1%)
- Books, newspapers, pictures: $1.3 billion (Up by 2.5%)
- Tanning, dyes, paints, varnishes, ink: $720.9 million (Down by -12.4%)
- Organic chemicals: $570.1 million (Down by -55.1%)
- Iron, steel: $497.8 million (Up by 58.7%)
- Arms, ammunition: $382.1 million (Up by 308.8%)
- Optical, technical, medical apparatus: $283.9 million (Reversing a -$337.7 million deficit)
United Kingdom has highly positive net exports in the international trade of aircraft or spacecraft parts and accessories. In turn, these cashflows indicate United Kingdom’s strong competitive advantages under the aircraft and spacecraft product category.
Opportunities
Overall the United Kingdom incurred a -$199.2 billion trade deficit during 2017, down -11.4% from -$224.9 billion in red ink in 2016.
As of June 2018, UK’s trade deficit stood at -$93.5 billion up 1.9% compared to the first 6 months of 2017.
Below are exports from United Kingdom that result in negative net exports or product trade balance deficits. These negative net exports reveal product categories where foreign spending on home country United Kingdom’s goods trail UK importer spending on foreign products.
- Electrical machinery, equipment: -US$35.3 billion (Up by 14.9% since 2016)
- Vehicles: -$19 billion (Down by -16.7%)
- Gems, precious metals: -$17 billion (Down by -59.9%)
- Mineral fuels including oil: -$16.2 billion (Up by 15.9%)
- Machinery including computers: -$14.4 billion (Down by -8.6%)
- Knit or crochet clothing, accessories: -$7.7 billion (Down by -14.9%)
- Furniture, bedding, lighting , signs, prefab buildings: -$7.6 billion (Up by 0.7%)
- Clothing, accessories (not knit or crochet): -$6.5 billion (Down by -15.1%)
- Wood: -$6.4 billion (Up by 5.1%)
- Plastics, plastic articles: -$6.3 billion (Up by 2.4%)
United Kingdom has highly negative net exports and therefore deep international trade deficits for mobile phones under the electrical machinery and equipment category.
These cashflow deficiencies clearly indicate United Kingdom’s competitive disadvantages in the international electronics market, but also represent key opportunities for United Kingdom to improve its position in the global economy through focused innovations.
Companies
UK Export Companies
Here are UK export companies ranking among the largest international trade players for the United Kingdom:
- Anglo American PLC (diversified metals, mining)
- AstraZeneca (pharmaceuticals)
- BP (oil, gas)
- British American Tobacco (tobacco)
- GlaxoSmithKline (pharmaceuticals)
- Johnson Matthey (chemicals)
- Mondi Group (paper, paper products)
- Rio Tinto Group (diversified metals, mining)
- SABMiller (beverages)
- Smith & Nephew (medical equipment, supplies)
According to global trade intelligence firm Zepol, the following companies are also examples of UK exporters:
- Allied Pickfords UK (forage products, corn, t-shirts)
- Cadbury UK (chocolate bars, other chocolate preparations)
- GKN Timet UK (titanium)
- Optivite International (formic acid, proprionic acid, animal feeds not for dog or cat)
- Rothenberger UK (pipe/bolt cutters, propylene, miscellaneous tubes/pipes/hoses)
Searchable List of UK’s Most Valuable Export Products
At the more granular four-digit HTS code level, UK’s top export products are cars followed by turbo-jets then medication mixes in dosage.
The following searchable table displays 200 of the most in-demand goods shipped from the United Kingdom during 2017. Shown beside each product label is its total export value then the percentage increase or decrease since 2016.
| Rank | UK Export Product | 2017 Value (US$) | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cars | $41.9 billion | +2.7% |
| 2 | Turbo-jets | $25.2 billion | +29.9% |
| 3 | Medication mixes in dosage | $20.4 billion | -6.1% |
| 4 | Crude oil | $19 billion | +44.1% |
| 5 | Gold (unwrought) | $17 billion | +9.3% |
| 6 | Aircraft parts | $16.1 billion | +7.6% |
| 7 | Processed petroleum oils | $11.3 billion | +23.7% |
| 8 | Blood fractions (including antisera) | $9.7 billion | +11.5% |
| 9 | Alcohol (including spirits, liqueurs) | $7.3 billion | +3.5% |
| 10 | Automobile parts/accessories | $6.6 billion | +4.7% |
| 11 | Platinum (unwrought) | $5.6 billion | +34.3% |
| 12 | Phone system devices | $5.2 billion | +4.9% |
| 13 | Jewelry | $4.7 billion | +3.6% |
| 14 | Hand-drawn paintings, drawings | $4.4 billion | -1.2% |
| 15 | Aircraft, spacecraft | $4.3 billion | -21.1% |
| 16 | Computers, optical readers | $3.9 billion | -3.8% |
| 17 | Engines (diesel) | $3.9 billion | +26.6% |
| 18 | Petroleum gases | $3.7 billion | +25.7% |
| 19 | Taps, valves, similar appliances | $3 billion | -4.4% |
| 20 | Centrifuges, filters and purifiers | $2.9 billion | +6.9% |
| 21 | Iron or steel scrap | $2.9 billion | +41.6% |
| 22 | Printed books, brochures | $2.5 billion | +3.8% |
| 23 | Heterocyclics, nucleic acids | $2.5 billion | -13.2% |
| 24 | Electro-medical equip (e.g. xrays) | $2.3 billion | +1.3% |
| 25 | Diamonds (unmounted/unset) | $2.2 billion | +22.3% |
| 26 | Physical/chemical analysis tools | $2.1 billion | +8.6% |
| 27 | Heavy machinery (bulldozers, excavators, road rollers) | $2.1 billion | +12.1% |
| 28 | Beauty/makeup/skin care preparations | $2.1 billion | +8.4% |
| 29 | Lower-voltage switches, fuses | $2 billion | +4.2% |
| 30 | Liquid pumps and elevators | $2 billion | +1.9% |
| 31 | Seats (excluding barber/dentist chairs) | $1.9 billion | +21.5% |
| 32 | Piston engines | $1.8 billion | -2.4% |
| 33 | Unrecorded sound media | $1.8 billion | -0.7% |
| 34 | Other diagnostic/lab reagents | $1.8 billion | +4% |
| 35 | Piston engine parts | $1.8 billion | +0.02% |
| 36 | Printing machinery | $1.7 billion | +12.1% |
| 37 | Other measuring/testing machines | $1.7 billion | +8.3% |
| 38 | Trucks | $1.6 billion | +19.8% |
| 39 | Other food preparations | $1.6 billion | +6% |
| 40 | Tractors | $1.6 billion | +9.5% |
| 41 | Insulated wire/cable | $1.6 billion | +21.3% |
| 42 | Miscellaneous machinery | $1.6 billion | -4.7% |
| 43 | Women's clothing (not knit or crochet) | $1.6 billion | +4% |
| 44 | Integrated circuits/microassemblies | $1.5 billion | -1.8% |
| 45 | Miscellaneous animal feed preparations | $1.5 billion | +20.5% |
| 46 | Plastic plates, sheets, film, tape, strips | $1.5 billion | +4% |
| 47 | Miscellaneous plastic items | $1.5 billion | +1% |
| 48 | Computer parts, accessories | $1.5 billion | -10.4% |
| 49 | Machinery parts | $1.5 billion | +18.6% |
| 50 | Regulate/control instruments | $1.4 billion | +1.5% |
| 51 | Liquid/gas checking instruments | $1.3 billion | +0.2% |
| 52 | Air or vacuum pumps | $1.3 billion | -0.04% |
| 53 | Orthopedic appliances | $1.3 billion | +11.3% |
| 54 | Electrical converters/power units | $1.3 billion | +8.7% |
| 55 | Packaged insecticides/fungicides/herbicides | $1.3 billion | +0.7% |
| 56 | Other organic cleaning preparations | $1.3 billion | +5.1% |
| 57 | Plastic packing goods, lids, caps | $1.3 billion | +2.1% |
| 58 | Electrical machinery | $1.2 billion | +3% |
| 59 | Optical fiber cables, sheets, plates | $1.2 billion | +12.5% |
| 60 | Bread, biscuits, cakes, pastries | $1.2 billion | +3.5% |
| 61 | Footwear (leather) | $1.2 billion | -1.7% |
| 62 | Chemical industry products/residuals | $1.2 billion | +4.6% |
| 63 | Acyclic hydrocarbons | $1.1 billion | +15.3% |
| 64 | Electrical/optical circuit boards, panels | $1.1 billion | +10.3% |
| 65 | X-ray equipment | $1.1 billion | +12.2% |
| 66 | Miscellaneous iron or steel items | $1.1 billion | +6% |
| 67 | Print/write/draw inks | $1.1 billion | +4.2% |
| 68 | Electric generating sets, converters | $1.1 billion | +1.3% |
| 69 | Fork-lift trucks | $1.1 billion | +14.7% |
| 70 | Precious metal waste, scrap | $1.1 billion | +9% |
| 71 | Whole fish (fresh) | $1.1 billion | +27.6% |
| 72 | Transmission shafts, gears, clutches | $1 billion | +6.2% |
| 73 | Copper waste, scrap | $1 billion | +10% |
| 74 | Sort/screen/washing machinery | $1 billion | +7.1% |
| 75 | Miscellaneous heterocyclics | $972.4 million | -4.3% |
| 76 | Miscellaneous furniture | $963.9 million | +3.4% |
| 77 | Packaged dressings | $929.8 million | +29.7% |
| 78 | Electric motors, generators | $918.3 million | +14.2% |
| 79 | Cases, handbags, wallets | $903.0 million | +6.7% |
| 80 | Chocolate, other cocoa preparations | $893.2 million | +2.8% |
| 81 | Personal toilet/shaving preparations, deodorants | $888.6 million | +4% |
| 82 | Navigational aids including compasses | $888.3 million | +6.4% |
| 83 | Jerseys, pullovers (knit or crochet) | $874.3 million | +4.3% |
| 84 | Sculptures, statues | $864.3 million | -29.1% |
| 85 | Scents used for beverage or industrial manufacturing | $859.9 million | +11.2% |
| 86 | Paper/paperboard waste, scrap | $834.9 million | +12.2% |
| 87 | Iron and steel screws, bolts, nuts, washers | $831 million | +8.4% |
| 88 | Antiques (over 100 years old) | $828 million | -14.1% |
| 89 | Oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers | $827.8 million | +5.6% |
| 90 | Perfumes, toilet waters | $822.9 million | -1% |
| 91 | Models, puzzles, miscellaneous toys | $816.4 million | +22.5% |
| 92 | Plastic tubes, pipes, fittings | $815.2 million | +3.6% |
| 93 | Yachts, other pleasure/sports vessels | $814.1 million | -18.8% |
| 94 | TV receivers/monitors/projectors | $814 million | +17.3% |
| 95 | Temperature-change machines | $808.5 million | +4.2% |
| 96 | Rubber tires (new) | $804.5 million | -4.8% |
| 97 | Silver (unwrought) | $802.1 million | +10.2% |
| 98 | Other coloring matter, luminophores | $792.5 million | +19.8% |
| 99 | Cheese, curd | $791.4 million | +17.3% |
| 100 | Electric sound/visual signal bells or alarms | $790.7 million | -6.4% |
| 101 | Ethylene polymers | $787.4 million | +20.7% |
| 102 | Polyacetal/ether/carbonates | $752.2 million | +7.8% |
| 103 | T-shirts, vests (knit or crochet) | $751.7 million | +2.1% |
| 104 | Lifting/loading machinery | $732.4 million | -1.6% |
| 105 | Wine | $721.7 million | +10% |
| 106 | Lamps, lighting, illuminated signs | $716.8 million | +1.8% |
| 107 | Solar power diodes/semi-conductors | $715.1 million | +13.1% |
| 108 | Wrist/pocket watches (precious metal case) | $713.4 million | +9.4% |
| 109 | TV receiver/transmit/digital cameras | $690.9 million | -8.8% |
| 110 | Men's suits, trousers (not knit or crochet) | $687 million | -5.1% |
| 111 | Malt beer | $676.1 million | -16% |
| 112 | Liquid crystal/laser/optical tools | $665.8 million | +16.3% |
| 113 | Miscellaneous iron and steel structures | $661.9 million | +1.6% |
| 114 | Medication mixes not in dosage | $649.6 million | -17% |
| 115 | Propylene/olefin polymers | $649.1 million | +60.7% |
| 116 | Aluminum plates, sheets, strips | $644 million | +8.2% |
| 117 | Miscellaneous engines, motors | $624.1 million | +4.7% |
| 118 | Table games, bowling equipment | $624.1 million | +4% |
| 119 | Microphones/headphones/amps | $623.7 million | +0.5% |
| 120 | Aluminum (unwrought) | $619.9 million | +9.7% |
| 121 | Plastic plates, sheets, film, tape, strips | $618.2 million | +4.8% |
| 122 | Sports equipment | $615.1 million | +5.1% |
| 123 | Initiators/accelerators, catalytic preps | $614 million | -27.3% |
| 124 | Women's clothing (knit or crochet) | $579.3 million | +1% |
| 125 | Paint/varnish non-aqueous solution | $572.3 million | +4.8% |
| 126 | Aluminum waste, scrap | $567.1 million | -1.6% |
| 127 | Vulcanized rubber items | $558.7 million | +8.2% |
| 128 | Cyclic hydrocarbons | $557.7 million | -3.8% |
| 129 | Non-alcoholic drinks (not water/juice/milk) | $553 million | -4.8% |
| 130 | Electric storage batteries | $552.3 million | +9.3% |
| 131 | Hair preparations | $551.9 million | +2.4% |
| 132 | Air conditioners | $550.6 million | +9.2% |
| 133 | Ball, roller bearings | $549 million | +7.9% |
| 134 | Prepared cereal foods | $542.1 million | +4% |
| 135 | Survey/hydro/weather instruments | $538.5 million | -1% |
| 136 | Iron or steel pipe fittings | $536.9 million | -0.9% |
| 137 | Spray/dispersing mechanical appliances | $532.7 million | +2.9% |
| 138 | Footwear (textile) | $531.4 million | -3.3% |
| 139 | Radar, radio communication items | $531.1 million | -25.1% |
| 140 | Self-adhesive plastic in rolls | $527.5 million | +9.6% |
| 141 | Flat-rolled iron or non-alloy steel products (plated/coated) | $526.4 million | +20.5% |
| 142 | Trailers | $524.6 million | +23.4% |
| 143 | Stainless steel ingots | $520.7 million | +30.8% |
| 144 | Acrylic polymers | $520 million | +6.3% |
| 145 | Glass fibers | $518.4 million | -2.5% |
| 146 | Titanium | $516.1 million | +0.6% |
| 147 | Electric water heaters, hair dryers | $510.8 million | +5% |
| 148 | Miscellaneous machine electrical parts | $509 million | +11.6% |
| 149 | Base metal mountings, fittings | $508.2 million | +15.7% |
| 150 | Worn clothing | $508 million | +6.3% |
| 151 | Soap, organics surface-active goods | $499.8 million | +0.9% |
| 152 | Sheep or goat meat | $496.5 million | +12.2% |
| 153 | Sutures, special pharmaceutical goods | $494.1 million | -17.3% |
| 154 | TV/radio/radar device parts | $491.3 million | -8.1% |
| 155 | Live horses, donkeys, mules | $482.6 million | +10.3% |
| 156 | Silicones | $471.5 million | +2.7% |
| 157 | Harvest/threshing machinery | $466.9 million | -7% |
| 158 | Electric ignition/start equipment | $464 million | -0.8% |
| 159 | Cellulose fiber paper | $455.4 million | -2.8% |
| 160 | Lead (unwrought) | $447.9 million | +11.7% |
| 161 | Stone/mineral substances items | $447.1 million | +5.3% |
| 162 | Dishwashing, clean/dry/fill machines | $446.6 million | +3.2% |
| 163 | Fresh or chilled beef | $446.5 million | +5.6% |
| 164 | Crustaceans (including lobsters) | $437.6 million | +6.4% |
| 165 | Machinery for making semi-conductors | $434.3 million | +5.6% |
| 166 | Nickel (unwrought) | $429.6 million | +0.1% |
| 167 | Sauces, preparations, condiments | $427.7 million | -0.02% |
| 168 | Precious metal compounds | $421.2 million | +3.2% |
| 169 | Dried organs, heparin | $420.1 million | +969.6% |
| 170 | Not concentrated/unsweetened milk, cream | $418 million | +56.5% |
| 171 | Gaskets, similar joints | $412.1 million | +11.5% |
| 172 | Hormones, miscellaneous steroids | $397.5 million | +16.5% |
| 173 | Ethyl alcohol | $394.5 million | +59.6% |
| 174 | Women's coats, jackets (not knit or crochet) | $386.8 million | -13.7% |
| 175 | Newspapers, journals | $386.3 million | +4.1% |
| 176 | Paper containers, cellulose wadding | $385.1 million | -5.6% |
| 177 | Electric circuit parts, fuses, switches | $384.1 million | +13.3% |
| 178 | Swine meat | $377.7 million | +10.8% |
| 179 | Interchangeable hand/machine tools | $375.1 million | +0.9% |
| 180 | Printed matter including photos | $374.2 million | -5.5% |
| 181 | Poultry meat | $361.4 million | +7% |
| 182 | Flat-rolled other alloy steel products | $360.8 million | +181.7% |
| 183 | Coffee | $359.6 million | +5.2% |
| 184 | Coffee/tea extracts, concentrates | $357 million | +5.6% |
| 185 | Women's shirts (not knit or crochet) | $352.8 million | +3.8% |
| 186 | Hot-rolled iron or non-alloy steel products | $348.9 million | +34.8% |
| 187 | Flour/meal/starch/malt extract food preparations | $345.3 million | +8.9% |
| 188 | Oral/dental hygiene preparations | $344.6 million | -0.5% |
| 189 | Coal tar oils (high temperature distillation) | $333.6 million | +88.2% |
| 190 | Other machine parts, accessories | $331.8 million | +8% |
| 191 | Miscellaneous iron or steel tubes, pipes | $330.7 million | +24.4% |
| 192 | Uncoated paper for writing/printing | $329.8 million | +7.6% |
| 193 | Iron or non-alloy steel products (semi-finished) | $329 million | +10.3% |
| 194 | Coiled iron or non-alloy steel bars, rods | $326.3 million | +15.6% |
| 195 | Concentrated/sweetened milk, cream | $324.3 million | +9.5% |
| 196 | Amine-function compounds | $324.2 million | -12.2% |
| 197 | Mechano-therapy appliances | $320.2 million | +4.2% |
| 198 | Plastic tableware, kitchenware, toiletry | $314.4 million | +5.6% |
| 199 | Butter | $314 million | +48% |
| 200 | Saturated acyclic mono acids | $313.7 million | -3.9% |
These 200 exported goods were worth a subtotal of US$367.5 billion or 82.8% by value for all products exported from the UK during 2017.
See also United Kingdom’s Top 10 Imports, United Kingdom’s Top Trading Partners, UK’s Major EU Exports, United Kingdom’s Top 10 Major Export Companies and European Union’s Top 10 Exports
Research Sources:
International Monetary Fund, World Economic Outlook Database (GDP based on Purchasing Power Parity). Accessed on July 30, 2018
The World Factbook, Country Profiles, Central Intelligence Agency. Accessed on July 30, 2018
Trade Map, International Trade Centre. Accessed on July 30, 2018
Investopedia, Net Exports Definition. Accessed on July 30, 2018
Wikipedia, List of Companies based in London. Accessed on July 30, 2018
Zepol’s company summary highlights by country. Accessed on February 23, 2016
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