UK goods trade balance with EU: food and live animals
UK goods trade balance with EU: food and live animals stood at -£2,280m 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balance with the EU by product group | |||||||||||
| Food and live animals | -2,280 | -2,361 | -2,442 | -2,400 | -2,386 | -2,409 | -2,433 | -2,465 | -2,391 | -2,434 | |
| Beverages and tobacco | -315 | -314 | -327 | -284 | -273 | -232 | -263 | -239 | -274 | -294 |
Understanding UK goods trade balance with EU: food and live animals
Net merchandise trade with the European Union specifically within the food and live animals category is quantified in £m, calculated by subtracting inbound arrivals from outbound dispatches. The scope covers agricultural produce, meat, dairy, and live animals cleared through customs. This product-specific series differs from aggregate goods totals by isolating perishable food supply chains from industrial and manufactured goods.
Interpreting this metric requires strict attention to biological and agricultural seasonality, harvesting schedules, and stringent regulatory border checks. Monthly figures can be volatile due to the perishable nature of the goods and specific delivery windows. Analysts should use year-on-year comparisons to assess genuine trends, ensuring they avoid comparing these specific food items against total macroeconomic trade figures.
Frequently asked questions
- What specific commodities are included in this product group?
- Agricultural produce, food products, dairy, meat, and live animals traded with the bloc.
- Why is seasonal analysis particularly important for this series?
- Harvesting cycles and perishable goods shelf-lives create strong, predictable seasonal trade patterns.
- How do border regulations impact the recorded monthly flows?
- Phytosanitary checks and certification requirements can occasionally alter the timing of inbound shipments.