The UK’s trade with the European Union has suffered more severe setbacks than the EU’s trade with the UK since Brexit, according to Logistics UK.
The business group revealed today that UK exports to the EU have fallen by 23% between 2017 and 2024, while imports from the bloc have only declined by 5%.
The findings were presented by Logistics UK President Phil Roe during a speech at Multimodal 2025, held at the NEC in Birmingham.
To address the growing trade imbalance between the UK and its closest trading partner, Mr Roe called for the “swift implementation” of revised border checks announced at the recent UK-EU reset summit. He stressed that smoother trade is essential for the UK to regain lost ground.
Highlighting the broader context, Mr Roe noted the “tumultuous global trade events of recent years,” such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ukraine conflict, and the Red Sea crisis, emphasising that Brexit and its aftermath did not occur in isolation. Nevertheless, he pointed out a clear decline in UK trade with the EU:
“Between 2017 and 2024, total exports to the EU fell by 23% from 106.4 million tonnes to 82.4 million tonnes, while imports from the EU declined only by 5% – from 111.6 million to 105.5 million tonnes. This suggests UK exporters have faced greater frictions post-Brexit, while imports have been more resilient.”
This trend is echoed in containerised trade figures, according to Logistics UK’s analysis with transport economists MDS Transmodal, which showed exports to the EU measured in TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units) dropped by 21%, compared to a 5% fall in imports.
Mr Roe observed: “The data shows that our reliance on the EU is pretty much the same as it was before EU Exit but our exports to the bloc are down.”
A key factor in this trade disruption is the introduction of Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) controls after Brexit, which regulate the movement of animal, plant, and food products. These measures have increased bureaucracy, costs, and delays at the border.
“These controls have significantly affected trade in perishable and animal-based products, particularly between Great Britain and the EU,” said Mr Roe.
“UK exports were impacted since 2021, which was much earlier than EU exports, as UK import checks were delayed until 2024.
"And while the impact on EU to GB exporters was not as significant, thanks to waivers put in place by the UK government, the impact on GB exporters was felt much earlier – something that may partially explain the disparity between outbound and inbound trade.”
Examining specific sectors, Mr Roe highlighted sharp falls since 2017: fish exports down 23%, dairy and eggs down 6%, meat and meat preparations down 28%, and vegetables and fruit down 35%.
“Exports to the EU have seen significant political and logistical disruption. SPS controls, veterinary checks, certificates, and customs clearance requirements all create friction and delays which can compromise the viability of exporting highly perishable products.”
On the import side, vegetables and fruit have declined by 12%, and meat imports by 5%, reflecting the perception that the UK has become a more challenging trading partner post-Brexit.
“Trade associations in the Netherlands and France tell us that working between the EU and GB is now seen as a specialist job for drivers moving these kinds of products because of the delays and checks they will face,” Mr Roe said.
“To put the logistics sector in the best position to help drive growth across the whole economy, the government needs to rectify this by working with the EU to help remove friction and delays at our borders.”
Mr Roe welcomed the UK-EU Summit in May, which resulted in a commitment to develop a Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement that could help restore trade in agri-food and plant products.
“A border agreement based on dynamic alignment would negate many of the post-Brexit checks and help smooth trade with the UK’s largest trading partner.
"It is essential that this agreement is implemented as swiftly as possible and has input from business at every stage so businesses and the wider economy can start reaping the benefits of smoother trade.”