EU Sales Drive Upswing In Exports

14th September 2026

Commenting on the latest trade data released by the Office for National Statistics, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce, said:

“Sustained growth in wider UK economic activity was reflected in July’s trade figures. The rise in exports across goods and services was broad based, particularly in trade with the EU. Although, goods imports from the rest of the world were also strong. This was led by increases in car orders from China and aircraft from the USA.

“Whilst this was an encouraging performance, it is vital that we see this momentum sustained into the next quarter. The government must focus on reducing the cost of trade with the EU, expanding new trade deal opportunities, and taking targeted action on export support.” 

Detailed Analysis:

July 2026 

The volume of goods exports increased by 3.5%. This was driven by a 7.2% increase to EU sales, led by broad-ranging increases in vehicles, chemicals, fuels and manufactured goods. Exports to the rest of the world were unchanged. 

Imports increased by 2.1% in volume. There was a 4.2% rise in non-EU purchases, whereas the flow of goods from the EU remained unchanged, despite notable falls in aircraft and cars. 

Services exports rose by 0.5% in volume terms while imports went up by 0.7% for the month. 

The Last Three Months 

Goods exports rose by 4.8% in value terms. This was split between a 2.8% increase to the EU, and a 6.9% rise to the rest of the world. 

The value of goods imports rose by 2.7%. There was a 0.9% increase in orders from the EU, and a 4.7% rise from the rest of the world. 

Services exports were estimated to have risen in value by 1%. 

Meanwhile imports of services were estimated to have gone up by 0.8%.

The full ONS data can be found here.