UK internal market vital for Scottish exports
Scotland鈥檚 export estimates for 2020 and 2021 are published
Total聽sales to England, Wales and Northern Ireland reached an estimated 拢48.6 billion and accounted for the majority (61 per cent) of the value of Scotland鈥檚 exports in 2021.聽
Scotland鈥檚 sales to the rest of the UK are worth more than three times exports to the EU, the latest annual export statistics from the Scottish Government show, demonstrating the strength and critical importance of the UK Internal Market.
There was also a 6.2 per cent increase in the estimated value of Scotland鈥檚 international exports during 2021,to 拢31.3 billion, although these remained lower than before the pandemic.聽Scotland Office Ministers have banged the drum tirelessly to promote Scotland and Scottish business overseas through the extensive network of embassies and high commissions, with trade missions this year including to the USA and Vietnam.聽
Scotland鈥檚 exports to the EU are valued at an estimated 拢15 billion, accounting for 48 per cent of Scotland鈥檚 international exports, an increase of 0.5 per cent from 2020 and 11.7 per cent lower than in 2019.聽
Scottish Secretary, Alister Jack, said:聽
鈥淭he Scottish Government鈥檚 export figures show again that the rest of the UK remains by far Scotland鈥檚 most important market. England, Wales and Northern Ireland combined buy more than 60 per cent of our exports. This is an important reminder of the importance of the UK鈥檚 internal market and the need for us to ensure that it continues to operate freely and effectively.
鈥淲e have also seen international sales increase to more than 拢31 billion. With our first trade deals post-Brexit coming into effect earlier this year Scottish businesses will be able to seize those new opportunities.鈥�