In 2021, the UK’s largest exports by category were:
- Machinery and mechanical appliances (including cars and automotive parts)
- Mineral fuels (primarily oil and gas)
- Pharmaceuticals
- Electrical machinery and equipment
- Gems and precious metals
- Organic chemicals
- Plastics and plastic products
- Optical and photographic equipment
- Aircraft and spacecraft
- Iron and steel
In 2021, the UK’s largest imports by category were:
- Machinery and mechanical appliances (including computers and telecommunications equipment)
- Mineral fuels (primarily oil and gas)
- Vehicles (including cars, trucks, and parts)
- Electrical machinery and equipment
- Pharmaceuticals
- Plastics and plastic products
- Gems and precious metals
- Optical and photographic equipment
- Furniture and bedding
- Organic chemicals
It’s worth noting that the UK’s exports may have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and related disruptions in international trade, so these rankings may have changed in 2022.
