The UK's exports to the EU have dropped by 23% since 2017, while imports from the bloc have declined just 5%, according to business group Logistics UK. The figures were shared by the group's President, Phil Roe, during his speech at Multimodal 2025 at the NEC in Birmingham on 17 June 2025.

Roe called for the rapid implementation of updated border protocols agreed at the recent UK-EU reset summit, arguing this is key to restoring smoother trade with the UK's largest trading partner.

"Between 2017 and 2024, exports to the EU fell from 106.4 million tonnes to 82.4 million tonnes. Meanwhile, imports declined only slightly, from 111.6 million tonnes to 105.5 million," Roe said. "This suggests that UK exporters have faced significantly more friction post-Brexit than EU exporters."

The pattern is also reflected in containerised trade. According to analysis by Logistics UK and MDS Transmodal, exports to the EU measured in twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) fell by 21%, while imports dropped by just 5%.

Roe attributed much of the disparity to Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) checks introduced after Brexit, which affect the movement of animal, plant, and food products. "These controls have significantly affected UK trade in perishable goods, particularly since UK checks on EU imports were delayed until 2024, while UK exporters faced restrictions from 2021," he explained.

Sector-specific data shows significant declines in UK exports to the EU since 2017: fish exports are down 23%, dairy and eggs by 6%, meat and meat preparations by 28%, and fruit and vegetables by 35%. Roe stressed that customs clearance, veterinary checks, and certification requirements have all contributed to delays and increased costs, undermining the viability of exporting perishable goods.

In contrast, imports of fruit and vegetables from the EU fell by just 12% and meat imports by 5%. Roe said EU logistics firms increasingly view UK trade as a specialist operation due to the complexity and delays involved.

He welcomed the UK-EU summit's agreement to explore an SPS deal, stating, "A border agreement based on dynamic alignment would eliminate many of the current checks and help restore competitiveness. This must be implemented swiftly, with full business input."

Roe concluded that reducing trade friction is essential to support the UK's economy and ensure logistics companies can operate effectively post-Brexit.
 

Source: www.floraldaily.com