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The provisional data in this bulletin summarises HMRC estimates of goods trade flows exported and imported between Wales and partner countries in 2022. These figures reflect the impact of coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic, the end of the EU transition period and the Ukraine conflict which have all led to ongoing volatility in global trade. Due to the impact of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions on international trade in 2020, and to a lesser extent in 2021, many figures in this bulletin have been compared against 2019 (the last full calendar year before the pandemic). More detailed analysis is available via our international goods trade dashboard, and the .

This bulletin analyses trade in goods data, but trade in services data is published separately in .

Exports

• The value of goods exports for Wales was £20.5 billion in 2022, an increase of £5.3 billion (34.9%) when compared to 2021 and an increase of £2.8 billion (15.5%) when compared to 2019.
• Across the UK as a whole, the value of goods exports increased by 19.2%, compared to 2021 and increased 9.2% compared to 2019.
• The value of goods exports less ‘Oil’^{[footnote 1]} (SITC 33) for Wales was £15.9 billion in 2022, an increase of £2.7 billion (20.7%) when compared to 2021, and an increase of £0.5 billion (3.5%) when compared to 2019. (Figure 1)
• Compared to 2021, export values to EU countries increased by £2.5 billion (27.5%) and to non-EU countries increased by £2.8 billion (45.8%). Compared to 2019, export values to EU countries increased by £0.8 billion (7.7%) and to non-EU countries increased by £1.9 billion (27.5%).
• Export values to the EU accounted for 56.5% of �ʶ����� exports, compared with 52.1% of UK exports.

Imports

• The value of goods imports for Wales was £24.1 billion in 2022, an increase of £8.0 billion (49.3%) when compared to 2021 and an increase of £5.9 billion (32.3%) when compared to 2019. Across the UK as a whole, the value of goods imports increased by 37.1% compared to the year 2021 and increased 29.6% compared to the year 2019.
• The value of goods imports less ‘Oil’ (SITC 33) for Wales was £16.6 billion in 2022, an increase of £4.0 billion (31.1%) when compared to 2021 and an increase of £2.3 billion (15.7%) when compared to 2019.(Figure 1)
• Compared to 2021, import values from EU countries increased by £2.1 billion (36.0%) up to £8.1 billion and import values from non-EU countries increased by £5.8 billion (57.0%) up to £16.0 billion. Compared to 2019, import values from EU countries increased by £1.2 billion (16.8%) and from non-EU countries increased by £4.7 billion (41.7%).
• Import values from the EU accounted for 33.5% of �ʶ����� imports, compared with 48.9% of UK imports.

Figure 1: Wales’ total goods trade and total goods trade excluding 'Oil', 2019 Q1 to 2022 Q4 (£ billions) [Note 1]

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Description of Figure 1: A line chart showing total trade fell sharply at the start of 2020 due to the pandemic. Increases in recent quarters have seen export and import values exceed their pre-pandemic levels.

Source: Regional Trade in Goods Statistics, HM Revenue & Customs

[Note 1]: 2022 data is provisional. 

Data considerations

It is important to consider the impact of global economic events, such as the war in Ukraine, on the value of trade as well as inflationary pressures pushing up current prices of products. Petroleum is thought to be particularly affected.

Given the highly aggregated nature of trade data available at the all-Wales level it is difficult to unpick the relationships between trade volumes and values of trade in goods over time, however this bulletin illustrates examples including and excluding the values of trade in ‘Oil’, with occasional reference to the volume of trade to illustrate the significant role that this commodity can play in Wales’ trade performance.

Because of changes to the way in which the data is collected, additional low value trade that was previously allocated to countries and regions may now be reported under the ‘Unallocated-unknown’ category. This has led to a likely reduction in the UK to EU export values, and total export values for Wales (and other regions) from January 2021 onwards. More detailed notes of these effects can be read in the  on these statistics. Some of the exports data included in this report may get revised by HMRC as part of their routine revisions to the data set. The latest data will be available on the .

The value of goods exports for Wales was £20.5 billion in 2022, an increase of £5.3 billion (34.9%) when compared to 2021 and an increase of £2.8 billion (15.5%) when compared to 2019. Across the UK as a whole, goods exports increased by 19.2% compared to 2021, and increased 9.2% when compared to 2019.

The value of goods exports less ‘Oil’ (SITC 33) was £15.9 billion in 2022, an increase of £2.7 billion (20.7%) when compared to 2021, and an increase of £0.5 billion (3.5%) when compared to 2019.

Source: Regional Trade in Goods Statistics, HM Revenue & Customs 

[Note 1]: 2022 data is provisional.

Source: Regional Trade in Goods Statistics, HM Revenue & Customs

[Note 1] 2022 data is provisional.

Export values by destination (EU and non-EU)

The value of goods exports for Wales to EU countries was £11.6 billion, an increase of £2.5 billion (27.5%) when compared to 2021 and an increase of £0.8 billion (7.7%) when compared to 2019.

Exports to Ireland worth £3.0 billion in 2022 have driven the increases in EU export values, £2.0 billion of which were 'Oil' (SITC 33). Exports to Ireland increased £1.2 billion (70.8%) compared to 2021, when ‘Oil’ (SITC 33) exports to Ireland were valued at £0.8 billion.

The value of goods exports for Wales to non-EU countries was £8.9 billion, an increase of £2.8 billion (45.8%) when compared to 2021 and an increase of £1.9 billion (27.5%) when compared to 2019 (Figure 2). Exports to the United States worth £3.4 billion in 2022 have driven the increases in non-EU export values, £1.3 billion of which were ‘Oil’ (SITC 33). Exports to the United States increased by £1.2 billion (54.7%) compared to 2021, when ‘Oil’ (SITC 33) exports to the US were valued at £0.8 billion.

Figure 2: Goods exports by year and broad destination, Wales (£ billions) [Note 1]

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Description of Figure 2: A line chart showing that from 2013 Wales has consistently exported a greater value of goods to the EU than non-EU countries.

Source: Regional Trade in Goods Statistics, HM Revenue & Customs

[Note 1]: 2022 data is provisional.

The proportion of �ʶ����� export values to the EU accounted for 56.5% in 2022, a decrease from 59.7% in 2021 and 60.6% in 2019. Although export values increased to both EU and non-EU destinations in 2022, the greater increase in non-EU exports drives this shift. Compared to the UK, the EU accounted for 52.1% of UK export values, an increase of 2.7% compared to 2021 and an increase of 2.6% compared with 2019. (Figure 3)

Figure 3: Goods exports by proportion to EU from Wales and UK (£ billions) [Note 1] [Note 2]

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Description of Figure 3: A line chart showing that from 2013 the proportion of the value of goods exported to the EU has been consistent for both UK and Wales, but in recent years Wales' proportion has decreased.

Source: Regional Trade in Goods Statistics, HM Revenue & Customs

[Note 1]: 2022 data is provisional.

[Note 2]: The y-axis does not start at 0.

Export values by destination (country)

In 2022, the United States became the highest value market for �ʶ����� products, accounting for £3.4 billion (16.5%) of exports (Figure 4). This proportion was up from 14.4% in 2021 and up from 15.4% in 2019. Ireland became the second largest export values market, accounting for £3.0 billion (14.4%), followed by Germany, accounting for £2.4 billion (11.8%).

Excluding ‘Oil’ (SITC 33), Germany is the highest value market for exporting �ʶ����� products, accounting for £2.4 billion (15.2%) of exports, broadly similar to 2021, but down by £0.5 billion (15.7%) from 2019.

Comparisons to 2021

Compared to 2021, goods export values increased the most to Ireland, increasing by £1.2 billion (70.8%), driven by an increase of £1.2 billion (156%) in ‘Oil’. Removing ‘Oil’ (SITC 33), goods export values increased the most to the United States, increasing by £0.6 billion (45.1%), driven by an increase of £0.2 billion (87.2%) in ‘Power Generating Machinery and Equipment’ (SITC 71).

Compared to 2021, goods export values decreased the most to Russia with a decrease of £77.0 million (70.5%). The decrease in export value to Russia was driven by exports of ‘Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Products’ (SITC 54) which decreased by £18.9 million (81.9%).

Comparisons to 2019

Compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019, goods export values increased the most to Ireland with an increase of £1.3 billion (74.1%), driven by an increase of £0.9 billion (92.3%) in ‘Oil’. Removing ‘Oil’ (SITC 33), goods export values increased the most to Belgium by £0.6 billion (114.8%), driven by an increase of £0.2 billion (228.4%) of ‘Plastics in Primary Forms’ (SITC 57).

Compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019, the value of exported goods to France fell the most, with a decrease of £1.3 billion (44.8%), driven by decreased values of ‘Other Transport Equipment’ (SITC 79) which decreased by £1.4 billion (72.6%).

More detailed analysis can be found on our trade data visualisation interactive tool.

Figure 4: Top 5 destinations for �ʶ����� goods exports, 2019 to 2022 (£ billions) [Note 1]

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Description of Figure 4: A clustered bar chart showing the United States is the top exports destination for Wales, with export values increasing from 2020 and exceeding the value in 2019.

Source: Regional Trade in Goods Statistics, HM Revenue & Customs

[Note 1]: 2022 data is provisional.

Export values of top products

In 2022, the top product category exported by value from Wales was ‘Oil’ (SITC 33) which made up £4.6 billion (22.4%) of total goods export values (figure 5). Having previously been the second highest product category in 2021 and 2019, this proportion is up from 13.3% in 2021, and up from 13.4% in 2019.

It has superseded ‘Power Generating Machinery and Equipment’ (SITC 71), now in second place, which made up £3.0 billion (14.5%) of total goods export values in 2022, followed by ‘Other Transport Equipment’ (SITC 79) which made up £1.8 billion (8.9%).

The highest increase compared to 2021 was ‘Oil’ (SITC 33), increasing by £2.6 billion (127.3%), with the volumes increasing by 33.1%. This was driven by a £1.2 billion (156.0%) increase of export values of ‘Oil’ (SITC 33) to Ireland.  Compared to 2019, ‘Oil’ export values increased the most, increasing by £2.2 billion, with the volumes increasing by 17.8%.

‘Other Transport Equipment’ (SITC 79) was the top product category in 2019 which made up £4.2 billion (23.7%) of the total goods export values. This category has seen the largest decrease in export values in 2022 compared to 2019, decreasing by £2.4 billion (56.4%)

More detailed analysis can be found on our trade data visualisation interactive tool.

Figure 5: Top 5 products for �ʶ����� goods exports, 2019 to 2022 [Note 1]

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Description of Figure 5: A clustered bar chart showing that 'Petroleum, Petroleum Products and Related Materials' is now the top export category in 2022, superseding 'Power Generating Machinery and Equipment' from being the top export category in 2021.

Source: Regional Trade in Goods Statistics, HM Revenue & Customs

[Note 1]: 2022 data is provisional.

The value of goods imports for Wales was £24.1 billion in 2022, an increase of £8.0 billion (49.3%) when compared to 2021 and an increase of £5.9 billion (32.3%) when compared to 2019. Across the UK as a whole, the value of goods imports increased by 37.1%, compared to 2021 and increased 29.6% when compared to 2019.

The value of goods imports less ‘Oil’ (SITC 33) for Wales was £16.6 billion in 2022, an increase of £4.0 billion (31.1%) when compared to 2021 and an increase of £2.3 billion (15.7%) when compared to 2019.

Source: Regional Trade in Goods Statistics, HM Revenue & Customs

[Note 1]: 2022 data is provisional.

Source: Regional Trade in Goods Statistics, HM Revenue & Customs

[Note 1]: 2022 data is provisional

Import values by origin (EU and non-EU)

The value of goods imports for Wales from EU countries was £8.1 billion, an increase of £2.1 billion (36.0%) when compared to 2021, and an increase of £1.2 billion (16.8%), when compared to 2019 (figure 6)

The increase in import values from the EU in 2022 when compared to 2021 is driven by an increase of £0.4 billion (64.4%) from France. Compared to 2019, the increase in import values from the EU is driven by an increase of £0.4 billion (129.4%) from Ireland.

The value of goods imports for Wales from non-EU countries was £16.0 billion, an increase of £5.8 billion (57.0%) when compared to 2021 and an increase of £4.7 billion (41.7%) when compared to 2019 (figure 6).

The increase in import values from non-EU countries in 2022 when compared to 2021 is driven by an increase of £1.6 billion (74.1%) from the United Stated. Compared to 2019, the increase in import values from non-EU countries is driven by an increase of £0.7 billion (58.6%) from China.

Figure 6: Goods imports by year and origin, Wales (£bn) [Note 1]

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Description of Figure 6: A line chart showing that from 2013 Wales has consistently imported a greater value of goods from non-EU countries than the EU.

Source: Regional Trade in Goods Statistics, HM Revenue & Customs

[Note 1]: 2022 data is provisional.

Import values by origin (country)

In 2022, the United States remained the largest import values market for Wales, accounting for £3.7 billion (15.5%) of imports (figure 7). This proportion was up from 13.3% in 2021 and down from 17.5% in 2019. China was the second largest import values market, accounting for £1.8 billion (7.6%) then Netherlands with £1.4 billion (5.7%).

Excluding ‘Oil’ (SITC 33), the United States remained the highest values market for importing �ʶ����� products, accounting for £1.9 billion (11.6%) of imports, up from £1.4 billion (11.2%) in 2021 and slightly down from 2019.

Comparisons to 2021

Compared to 2021, goods import values increased the most from the United States, increasing by £1.6 billion (74.1%), driven by an increase of £1.1 billion (149.4%) in ‘Oil’ (SITC 33). Removing ‘Oil’ (SITC 33), goods import values still increased the most from the United States, increasing by £0.5 billion (35.9%), driven by an increase of £0.2 billion (40.0%) in ‘Power Generating Machinery and Equipment’ (SITC 71).

Compared to 2021, goods import values decreased the most from Russia with a decrease of £0.2 billion (55%), driven by a decrease of £0.1 billion (61.4%) of ‘Oil’ (SITC 33).

Comparisons to 2019

Compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019, goods import values increased the most from China with an increase of £0.7 billion (58.6%), driven by an increase of £0.1 billion (74045.5%) of ‘Oil’ (SITC 33). Removing ‘Oil’ (SITC 33), goods import values still increased the most from China, increasing by £0.6 billion (49.8%), driven by an increase of £81.8 million (56.8%) in ‘Electric Machinery, Apparatus and Appliances and Electric Parts Thereof not Elsewhere Specified’ (SITC 77).

Compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019, goods import values decreased the most from Germany with a decrease of £0.5 billion (29.0%), driven by a £0.3 billion (65.4%) decrease of ‘Road Vehicles (Including Air Cushion Vehicles)’ (SITC 78).

More detailed analysis can be found on our trade data visualisation interactive tool.

Figure 7: Top 5 origins for Wales' goods imports, 2019 to 2022 [Note 1]

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Description of Figure 7: A clustered bar chart showing that in 2022 the United States remained Wales' largest source of import values, exceeding the 2019 value.

Source: Regional Trade in Goods Statistics, HM Revenue & Customs

[Note 1]: 2022 data is provisional.

Import values of top products

In 2022, the top SITC product imported to Wales was ‘Oil’ (SITC 33) which made up £7.5 billion (30.9%) of total goods imports (figure 8). This proportion was up from 21.4% in 2021 and up from 21.1% in 2019. This was followed by ‘Power Generating Machinery and Equipment’ (SITC 71) and ‘Electric Machinery, Apparatus and Appliances and Electric Parts Thereof not Elsewhere Specified’ (SITC 77) which made up £3.2 billion (13.3%) and £1.1 billion (4.6%) of total goods imports respectively.

The highest increase compared to 2021 was ‘Oil’ (SITC 33), increasing by £4.0 billion (116.0%), with the volumes increasing by 28.0%. This is followed by ‘Power Generating Machinery and Equipment’ (SITC 71), increasing £1.5 billion (87.7%), with volumes increasing 4.7%. This was driven by an increase in import values from the United States with an increase of £0.2 billion (40.0%)

The highest increase compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019, was ‘Oil’ (SITC 33) increased by £3.6 billion (94.0%), with the volumes increasing by 18.5%. This is followed by ‘Power Generating Machinery and Equipment’ (SITC 71), increasing £1.1 billion (51.0%), but the volumes decreasing by 18.7%. This was driven mainly by an increase in imports from France, Saudi Arabia and Germany, increasing by £131.7 million (267.7%), £127.2 million (462.6%) and £126.3 million (186.8%) respectively.

More detailed analysis can be found on our trade data visualisation interactive tool.

Figure 8: Top 5 products for �ʶ����� goods imports, 2019 to 2022 [Note 1]

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Description of Figure 8: A clustered bar chart showing that ‘Petroleum, Petroleum Products and Related Materials’ remained the top import category in 2022, exceeding the 2019 value.

Source: Regional Trade in Goods Statistics, HM Revenue & Customs

[Note 1]: 2022 data is provisional.

We want your feedback 

�ʶ�����statisticians continue to review its analysis and publication of HMRC trade data including which will affect the contents of this annual international trade bulletin. This Wales international trade bulletin is produced from HMRC Regional Trade Statistics.

The �ʶ�����Trade Analysts are considering stopping updating the with the completion of the 2022 dataset. However, we will continue to update the International goods trade: interactive dashboard. If this will be an issue, or you would like to give us feedback, please contact stats.trade@gov.wales.

In reviewing the statistics we publish, we aim to streamline the trade data available and will engage with users to make sure we continue to meet their needs. If you would like to be like to be involved in a review, or provide any feedback on any aspect of these statistics, please email stats.trade@gov.wales.

Relevance

The provisional data in this bulletin summarises HMRC Regional Trade in Goods Statistics (RTS) of goods trade for Wales in 2022, providing comparisons with the UK.

This bulletin contains analysis data for 2022, 2021, and 2019. These statistics are used by the �ʶ�����to monitor the performance in goods trade for Wales, as well as providing comparisons to the UK and other regions. This bulletin is also used by other public sector organisations, businesses, academia and private individuals.

Accuracy

The data in this bulletin are the Regional Trade in Goods Statistics (RTS) published by HMRC. These statistics refer to goods that have crossed the UK frontier. This means that exports from Wales to other parts of the UK are not included and there is no element included for components produced in Wales when the final product is completed in and then exported from another part of the UK. HMRC does not receive information in respect of goods that move wholly within the UK. Further, these figures do not contain any information on trade in services such as banking or tourism.

Timeliness and punctuality

Regional Trade in Goods Statistics are published quarterly by HMRC in March, June, September and December. Headline international trade statistics are published by the �ʶ�����at the same time.

Accessibility and clarity

The Headline Statistics, Statistical Bulletin and trade data visualisation interactive tool are available on the �ʶ�����website. The latest HMRC quarterly Regional Trade in Goods Statistics (RTS) release is available from the HM Revenue & Customs website. Exports data are published on StatsWales.

Comparability and coherence

Experimental statistics on international trade in goods and services from businesses in Wales is also available on our Trade Survey for Wales. The Trade Survey for Wales is an online voluntary survey, which captures information directly from businesses with operations in Wales to measure trade flows (in terms of sales and purchases of goods and services) to and from Wales.

Comparable measures for other UK countries are published on StatsWales.

Data shown for the European Union (EU) are based on the 28 member states which comprised the EU (that is the 28 states less the UK for years the UK was an EU member, as only exports to destinations outside the UK are covered in this publication).

The quarterly totals of the value for RTS do not equate to the totals already published as the UK-wide Overseas Trade in Goods Statistics. Certain goods, such as North Sea crude oil, ships and aircraft stores, and those not in free circulation, that are shipped to EU countries using traditional Customs declarations, are not allocated to a UK region. Exports relating to overseas companies, registered for VAT in the UK, but with no place of business in the UK, have been excluded. Channel Islands and Isle of Man trade is also excluded. In addition, some exports to countries outside the EU cannot be allocated to a region because the VAT registration numbers have not been properly declared. These exclusions mean that it is not possible to reconcile total figures for regional trade against figures for UK trade.

Data are collated using the Standard International Trade Classification (SITC) system.

Methodology

HMRC has revised the methodology used to calculate Regional Trade in Goods Statistics. Business trade is now allocated to a region based on the proportion of employees in that region rather than where the location of the Head Office of the business is. Data are available under the new methodology from 2013 Q1. It is inappropriate to compare current data with data prior to 2013 and it has been excluded from this bulletin. Further information on the quality, revisions and methodology of the data can be found on the HMRC website.

Revisions

Data for previous quarters have been revised in accordance with the HMRC revision policy where data on exports for the current calendar year may be validated and revised at any time, while data on exports for the previous calendar may be validated and revised until just after the second quarter figures for the current calendar year are published. Data has been revised according to the .

All of the 2022 data is provisional. Revisions to the data arise as a result of including trade amendments and late submissions received by HM Revenue and Customs. Figures are provisional for up to 18 months.

For data from our own outputs, we follow �ʶ�����revisions policy.

National Statistics status

The has designated these statistics as National Statistics, in accordance with the Statistics and Registration Service Act 2007 and signifying compliance with the .

National Statistics status means that official statistics meet the highest standards of trustworthiness, quality and public value.

All official statistics should comply with all aspects of the Code of Practice for Statistics. They are awarded National Statistics status following an assessment by the UK Statistics Authority’s regulatory arm. The Authority considers whether the statistics meet the highest standards of Code compliance, including the value they add to public decisions and debate.

It is �ʶ����� Government’s responsibility to maintain compliance with the standards expected of National Statistics. If we become concerned about whether these statistics are still meeting the appropriate standards, we will discuss any concerns with the Authority promptly. National Statistics status can be removed at any point when the highest standards are not maintained, and reinstated when standards are restored.

The continued designation of these statistics as National Statistics was confirmed in 2013 following a compliance check by the These statistics last underwent a

Since the latest review by the Office for Statistics Regulation, we have continued to comply with the Code of Practice for Statistics, and have made the following improvements:

Removed large tables of data from the release and ensured that the data is available in online interactive tables.

Improved visuals through our interactive trade data visualisation tool and commentary to make it easier for the readers to draw out key Messages.

Well-being of Future Generations Act (WFG)

The Well-being of Future Generations Act 2015 is about improving the social, economic, environmental and cultural wellbeing of Wales. The Act puts in place seven wellbeing goals for Wales. These are for a more equal, prosperous, resilient, healthier and globally responsible Wales, with cohesive communities and a vibrant culture and thriving �ʶ����� language. Under section (10)(1) of the Act, the �ʶ����� Ministers must (a) publish indicators (“national indicators”) that must be applied for the purpose of measuring progress towards the achievement of the wellbeing goals, and (b) lay a copy of the national indicators before Senedd Cymru. Under section 10(8) of the Well-being of Future Generations Act, where the �ʶ����� Ministers revise the national indicators, they must as soon as reasonably practicable (a) publish the indicators as revised and (b) lay a copy of them before the Senedd. These national indicators were laid before the Senedd in 2021. The indicators laid on 14 December 2021 replace the set laid on 16 March 2016 but this release does not include national indicators.

Information on the indicators, along with narratives for each of the wellbeing goals and associated technical information is available in the Wellbeing of Wales report.

Further information on the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015.

The statistics included in this release could also provide supporting narrative to the national indicators and be used by public services boards in relation to their local wellbeing assessments and local wellbeing plans.

[1] ‘Oil’ is used as a proxy for ‘Petroleum, Petroleum Products and Related Materials’ (SITC 33).

Statistician: Jonathan Burton
Email: stats.trade@gov.wales

Media: 0300 025 8099

SB 13/2023

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