Scotland's International Goods Trade: Quarter 3 2023

When comparing the value of Scotland’s goods exports in the year ending September 2023 with the year ending September 2022: 

• The value of Scotland’s international goods exports decreased by 0.3% to £35.1 billion. The UK saw a 2.7% increase.  

• When oil and gas are excluded, the value of Scotland’s international goods exports increased by 4.3%, which was proportionally similar to the 5.3% growth experienced by the UK. 

• The value of Scotland’s goods exports to the EU decreased by 1.6% to £20.7 billion, which was driven by a decrease in the value of gas exports to the EU.  

• The value of Scotland’s goods exports to non-EU countries increased by 1.6% to £14.4 billion, which was largely driven by growth in exports of power generating machinery.  

• The Netherlands remained Scotland’s top destination, accounting for around a fifth (20%) of the value of Scotland’s total goods exports. Around three quarters (74%) of the value of Scotland’s total goods exports to the Netherlands was oil. 

• When oil and gas are excluded, USA emerged as Scotland’s top goods export destination. Over a quarter (26%) of the value of Scotland’s total goods exports to the USA were drinks.  

• The value of Scotland’s goods imports decreased by 8.3% whereas the UK saw an increase of 2.2% for overall goods imports. 

• The value of Scotland’s total trade in goods decreased by 4.3%, the decrease was driven most notably by a decrease in the value of gas imports from Norway.