UK exports: clothing
UK exports: clothing stood at £228m in Aug 2026, according to Office for National Statistics (ONS). It is one of the indicators in the Trade in goods table (Value · Monthly), with a complete series running from Jan 1997 to Aug 2026. The complete series with an interactive chart, free to download.
This indicator in the Trade in goods table
| Indicator | 08-2026 | 07-2026 | 06-2026 | 05-2026 | 04-2026 | 03-2026 | 02-2026 | 01-2026 | 12-2025 | 11-2025 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exports by commodity (SITC division) | |||||||||||
| Clothing | 228 | 238 | 228 | 276 | 235 | 222 | 238 | 244 | 247 | 267 | |
| Miscellaneous metal manufactures | 745 | 775 | 801 | 723 | 710 | 697 | 681 | 695 | 693 | 689 |
Understanding UK exports: clothing
Measuring the total monetary value of outbound shipments of apparel, garments, tailoring, and textile clothing accessories dispatched from the United Kingdom to international destinations, this series is denominated in £m. It isolates finished wearable garments from raw textiles, yarn, and footwear products. The geographic coverage encompasses all customs-verified physical exports leaving domestic distribution hubs and manufacturing workshops.
Seasonality is a dominant factor in this data, with outbound shipments surging ahead of international fashion seasons and holiday retail periods. Preliminary estimates frequently undergo revision as late freight and courier declarations are processed. Analysts should utilise year-on-year comparisons to eliminate seasonal distortions and accurately assess underlying export demand for domestic fashion and apparel products.
Frequently asked questions
- Does this series include raw textiles or yarn?
- No, it focuses strictly on finished clothing, garments, and wearable textile accessories.
- How does seasonality affect clothing export figures?
- Outbound shipments peak predictably ahead of seasonal fashion cycles and major holiday retail periods.
- Why are year-on-year comparisons recommended for this series?
- Comparing the same month across consecutive years helps filter out strong retail seasonality patterns.