Exports statistics Scotland 2021

Scotland's international exports rely more heavily on manufacturing than exports to the rest of the UK

Manufacturing accounted for over half (53%) of Scotland’s international exports in 2021, compared to just under a quarter (24%) of Scotland’s exports to the rest of the UK.

In contrast, over half (55%) of the value Scotland’s exports to the rest of the UK came from exports of services, compared to 39% for international exports.

These trends have been relatively consistent over recent years. 

Figure 5. Manufacturing accounted for the largest proportion of Scotland’s international exports, whereas services accounted for the largest proportion of exports to the rest of the UK

The percentage of Scotland’s international and rest of the UK exports by broad industry sector in 2021. 'Other' includes ‘agriculture’, ‘forestry and fishing’, ‘mining and quarrying’, ‘utilities’ and ‘construction’.