Story · United Kingdom · 15 Oct 2026
UK goods imports fell 2.3% and goods exports fell 3.1% in August 2026; the total trade deficit was £8.…
UK goods imports fell 2.3% and goods exports fell 3.1% in August 2026; the total trade deficit was £8.0 billion in the three months to August 2026.
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-3.1%
Monthly goods-export value
-2.3%
Monthly goods-import value
£8.0 billion
Three-month trade deficit
Exam link: Trade → net exports → aggregate demand and the current account
Understand the storyExpand Close
The Office for National Statistics reported that goods imports fell 2.3% by value in August 2026, a movement of £1.3 billion. Goods exports fell 3.1%, a movement of £1.1 billion. The total goods-and-services trade deficit was £8.0 billion in the three months to August 2026.
What happened
Goods imports fell 2.3% in August, while goods exports fell 3.1%. Across the three months to August 2026, the total trade deficit widened by £1.4 billion to £8.0 billion.
Why it matters
Trade flows affect aggregate demand, domestic output and the balance of payments. Changes in exports and imports can reflect exchange rates, overseas demand, UK demand and supply-chain conditions.
Economic context
For A-Level Economics, this is direct UK evidence for international trade and the current account. The figures are in current prices, so distinguish changes in value from changes in the volume of goods and services traded.
All key dataExpand Close
- Three-month trade deficit
- £8.0 billion
- Monthly goods-export value
- -3.1%
- Monthly goods-import value
- -2.3%
Terms explainedExpand Close
Trade balance
The difference between exports and imports. A surplus means exports exceed imports; a deficit means imports exceed exports.
Use it in an examExpand Close
Evidence
UK goods imports fell 2.3% and goods exports fell 3.1% in August 2026; the total trade deficit was £8.0 billion in the three months to August 2026.
Explain
Trade flows affect aggregate demand, domestic output and the balance of payments. Changes in exports and imports can reflect exchange rates, overseas demand, UK demand and supply-chain conditions.
Evaluate
For A-Level Economics, this is direct UK evidence for international trade and the current account. The figures are in current prices, so distinguish changes in value from changes in the volume of goods and services traded.
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30 Sept 2026, 06:00 · United Kingdom