The United Kingdom’s trade deficit widened to £5.54 billion in June 2026, up from an upwardly revised £3.46 billion in May, as exports declined more sharply than imports. Total exports fell 2.8% month-on-month to £80.21 billion, while total imports edged down 0.2% to £85.74 billion, the lowest level in four months.
Goods exports dropped 6.4% to £32.95 billion, reflecting weaker shipments to both EU and non-EU markets, which fell by 7.4% and 5.4%, respectively. The decline in exports to the EU was driven mainly by lower fuel and chemical exports, while the fall in exports to non-EU countries was largely due to reduced machinery and transport equipment shipments. Services exports slipped 0.1% to £47.25 billion.
On the import side, goods imports decreased 0.6% to a four-month low of £55.96 billion. Imports from EU countries edged down 0.3%, primarily on the back of lower fuel and chemical imports, while imports from non-EU countries fell 1.0%. In contrast, services imports rose 0.4% to £29.78 billion.
