The UK continues to be Scotland鈥檚 largest market for trade.
Latest Scottish Government Global Connections Survey shows the rest of the UK continues to be Scotland鈥檚 largest market for exports.
to the rest of the UK in 2015 (excluding oil and gas) are estimated at 拢49.8 billion, an increase of 拢2.1 billion (4.4%) over the year. This is good news not only for Scottish businesses large and small, but also for employment, for product and service development and economic stability.
Scottish exports to the rest of the UK
The increase in Scottish exports to the rest of the UK was driven by an increase in the export of utilities (electricity, gas, water etc). The rest of the UK continues to be Scotland鈥檚 largest export market as the figure is 拢21.1 billion higher than the estimated total for international exports.
Scotland鈥檚 exports to the rest of the UK are 4 times greater than those to the EU.
Exports to countries within the European Union (EU)
International exports to countries within the European Union (EU) were estimated at 拢12.3 billion, which is 43% of total international exports. This is an increase of 拢520 million from the previous year (4.4%). The increase was driven by an increase in the export of petroleum and chemical products.
Within the EU, the Netherlands (拢2.3 billion) was again, the largest market, followed by France (拢1.8 billion) and Germany (拢1.8 billion). Whilst the Netherlands is consistently reported as one of Scotland鈥檚 top trading partners, a number of goods exported here are likely to be destined for onward supply to other countries. This is because of key ports in this area.
International exports to non-EU countries
International exports to non-EU countries were estimated at 拢16.4 billion, which is 57% of total international exports. This is an increase of 拢485 million from the previous year (3.0%).
Service sector exports from Scotland are of greater importance to the rest of the UK than internationally as more than half (55%) of the rest of the UK exports are services compared to 38% of international exports.
Total international and rest of the UK exports in 2015 (excluding oil and gas) are estimated at 拢78.6 billion, up 拢3.1 billion (4.1%) in the year. Exports to the rest of the UK accounted for 63% of this total, EU exports accounted for 16% and non-EU exports 21%.
The USA continues to be Scotland鈥檚 top international trading partner (拢4.6 billion). The top 5 international export markets (USA, Netherlands, France, Germany and Norway) accounted for 拢11.7 billion (41%) of international exports from Scotland.
Scotland鈥檚 success in trading
Over the last ten years, findings from the Global Connection Survey have reinforced the ongoing, strong trading relationship that Scotland and the UK enjoy.
The results of showed that nearly 40% of people in Scotland believe the EU is more valuable to Scotland鈥檚 trade than the rest of the UK. In reality, Scotland鈥檚 trade is worth four times that of its trade with the EU.
If you want to find out more, you can see the full results of the Global Connections Survey .