List of exports of the United Kingdom

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The United Kingdom is a significant player in the global trade market, and its exports play a crucial role in its economy.

The UK's top export destinations include countries like the United States, Germany, and France, which account for a substantial portion of its total exports.

The UK's diverse economy allows it to export a wide range of products, from machinery and vehicles to food and beverages.

Agricultural products, such as wheat, barley, and oats, are also major exports, with the UK being a significant player in the global grain market.

UK's Top Trading Partners

The UK has a diverse range of trading partners, with various countries and regions importing a significant portion of the country's exports. The United States is the UK's largest export market, accounting for 13.9% of the country's total exports.

Germany is another significant trading partner, with 7.6% of the UK's exports going to the country. The Netherlands and Ireland also feature prominently, with 6.6% and 5.7% of exports going to each country respectively.

Piles of Shipping Containers along an Empty Road
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In terms of continental perspective, 50.6% of the UK's exports by value were delivered to European countries in 2024. This is a significant proportion, highlighting the importance of trade with European nations.

The UK also has a substantial trade relationship with the United States, with 27.9% of exports going to Asia. This includes countries such as China, which accounted for 9.1% of the UK's exports.

Here's a breakdown of the UK's top trading partners:

These countries are not only significant trading partners but also demonstrate the UK's global reach and influence.

UK Export Companies

The UK is home to some of the world's largest and most successful export companies. Anglo American PLC is a diversified metals and mining company that ranks among the largest international trade players in the UK.

Some of the UK's top export companies include Anglo American PLC, AstraZeneca, BP, British American Tobacco, GlaxoSmithKline, Johnson Matthey, Mondi Group, Rio Tinto Group, SABMiller, and Smith & Nephew. These companies are leaders in their respective industries and are major contributors to the UK's export economy.

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Other notable UK exporters include Allied Pickfords UK, Cadbury UK, GKN Timet UK, Optivite International, and Rothenberger UK, which export a range of goods including forage products, chocolate, titanium, formic acid, and pipe/bolt cutters.

Here are some of the UK's top export companies:

  • 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)
  • 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)

UK Export Companies Overview

The UK is home to a diverse range of export companies, from pharmaceuticals to automotive manufacturers. The country's largest international trade players include Anglo American PLC, AstraZeneca, and BP.

Some of the top UK export companies include Anglo American PLC, AstraZeneca, and BP, which are involved in diversified metals, mining, pharmaceuticals, and oil and gas respectively. These companies are among the largest international trade players for the UK.

The UK's automotive industry is a significant contributor to the country's exports, with global manufacturers like Nissan, Toyota, and Ford exporting cars worth $35,424 million annually. This is a staggering figure, and it's no wonder the UK is a major player in the global automotive market.

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The UK's top exports include refined petroleum, crude petroleum, pharmaceuticals, and gas turbines, among others. The country's export success stories also include more unusual items like sea salt, British crisps, and UK gins.

Here are some of the top UK export companies, grouped by industry:

  • 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)
  • 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)

The UK's top export partners are primarily located in Europe, with Germany accounting for 10.1% of the country's exports, followed by Switzerland at 7%.

The UK export market is a complex and ever-changing landscape, but one thing is clear: it's a sector that's ripe for growth. The UK's exports have been steadily increasing over the past few years, with a 3% rise in 2020.

According to the article, the UK's top export markets are the EU, the US, and China, accounting for over 60% of total exports. The EU remains the UK's largest trading partner, with exports to the region worth over £220 billion.

Credit: youtube.com, Export growth remains sluggish in UK | Latest World News | English News | WION

The UK's export market is also becoming increasingly digital, with online exports growing by 15% in 2020. This trend is expected to continue, with digital exports predicted to reach £100 billion by 2025.

The UK's automotive sector is a significant contributor to the country's export market, with over 80% of vehicles exported to the EU and other countries. The sector is also a major employer, with over 180,000 people working in the industry.

The UK's export market is also influenced by factors such as Brexit, global trade policies, and economic fluctuations. These factors can have a significant impact on the sector, making it essential for businesses to stay informed and adaptable.

Top UK Exports

The UK is a significant player in the global export market, with a wide range of products being shipped out to countries around the world. The country's top export categories account for over two-thirds of its total exports.

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The UK's top 10 export product categories include machinery, gems, vehicles, mineral fuels, electrical machinery, pharmaceuticals, optical and technical apparatus, aircraft, plastics, and beverages. These categories account for 71.9% of the country's total exports by value.

Machinery, including computers, is the largest export category, accounting for $85.5 billion or 16.7% of total exports. This is followed by gems and precious metals, which account for $82 billion or 16% of total exports.

The UK's automotive industry is another significant contributor to its exports, with cars, vehicle parts, and combustion engines being major export earners. The country also exports refined petroleum, crude petroleum, and pharmaceuticals, among other products.

Here is a breakdown of the UK's top 10 export product categories:

The UK's exports are not limited to these categories, however. The country also exports a range of other products, including antiques, second-hand clothing, and sheep or goat meat.

Top Export Partners

The UK has a diverse range of export partners, with different countries and regions playing significant roles in the country's trade.

A container ship transporting goods across the ocean under clear skies.
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The European Union is the UK's largest trading partner, accounting for 53% of the country's exports. This is not surprising, given the UK's historical ties with the EU.

Germany is the UK's largest export partner within the EU, accounting for 10.1% of the country's exports. Switzerland is a close second, with 7% of the UK's exports going to the country.

The US is the UK's largest export partner outside of the EU, accounting for 14.5% of the country's exports. This is a significant figure, given the two countries' strong bilateral trade relations and substantial foreign investments between them.

China is the largest importer of UK exports in Asia, accounting for 6% of the country's exports. Hong Kong and South Korea also feature prominently in the UK's Asian export market.

Here is a breakdown of the UK's top export partners:

The UK's export partners are diverse and widespread, reflecting the country's strong trade relationships with countries around the world.

Future Prospects

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In 2015, a significant 17.3% of the UK's total output was attributed to total exports.

The UK's exports were predominantly destined for the European Union, accounting for about 53% of all exports. This is a substantial portion of the country's total exports.

The UK's exit from the EU is expected to lead to an increase in exports to the world, with a slight decline in exports to EU countries.

Cars were the top export of the UK in 2015, valued at $35,424 million, followed closely by refined petroleum at $30,125 million.

The top 5 exports of the UK in 2015 were:

The UK's exports to Asian countries accounted for about 22.5% of all exports in 2015, making it a significant market for the country's goods.

What to Sell

If you're looking to sell something, consider the UK's top export markets. In 2017, goods accounted for 55% of total UK exports, with services making up the rest (45%).

Credit: youtube.com, 🇬🇧 5 Import Export Business Ideas For UK | Best Import Export Business UK

Mechanical machinery is a top export, making up 14% of total UK exports. Cars are also a significant export, valued at £35,424 million.

If you're looking to export food and drink products, consider the UK's success with Scotch whiskey, which has seen an 8.9% increase in value in 2017 to reach £4.36bn. Chocolate is another popular export, with artisan chocolate exports from smaller independent manufacturers driving a significant increase in value.

British cheese exports totalled £615m in 2017, with cheddar dominating, although British mozzarella showed strong growth. Ireland, France, the Netherlands, Denmark, and Poland remain key export markets for UK cheesemakers.

If you're looking to export something unique, consider the UK's surprising export successes, including antiques (£638m), second-hand clothing (£393m), and sheep or goat meat (£384m).

Surprising Export Successes

The UK is home to a surprising array of export successes. Britain is the world’s thirteenth largest exporter of sea salt.

The country's automotive industry is a significant contributor to its exports, but it's not the only unusual success story. British crisps are popular in France, and UK gins are globally popular, generating export sales worth half a billion pounds a year.

Credit: youtube.com, What Does Great Britain Export? - United Kingdom Explorers

Antiques are another unexpected export success, with the UK raking in £638m from this sector. Second-hand clothing is also a notable export, with the UK earning £393m from this market.

Sheep or goat meat is a surprising export, but it's not the only unusual item being shipped out of the country. Wicked Vision, a UK-based company, is the world's largest manufacturer and distributor of indoor and outdoor returning boomerangs, selling over five million boomerangs a year to over 45 countries.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the UK now the 4th biggest exporter in the world?

According to UNCTAD figures, the UK is now the world's 4th largest exporter. This ranking reflects the country's significant role in global trade.

Clara Donnelly

Writer

Clara Donnelly is a versatile writer with a passion for crafting engaging content across various industries. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for storytelling, she brings complex topics to life through her writing. Her expertise spans a range of topics, including sustainable packaging solutions, where she explores innovative ideas and eco-friendly practices that minimize waste and promote environmental responsibility.

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