Exports statistics Scotland 2021

Key points

• Despite a small (6.2%) increase in 2021 to £31.3 billion, the estimated value of Scotland's international exports remained lower than before the pandemic (11.5% lower than in 2019)
• In 2021, the value of Scotland’s exports to the EU comprised just under half (48%) of international exports and was 11.7% lower than in 2019
• In contrast, the value of Scotland’s exports to the rest of the UK was 4.0% higher in 2021 compared to 2019
• Exports to the rest of the UK valued an estimated £48.6 billion and accounted for the majority (61%) of the value of Scotland’s total exports in 2021
• Scotland’s international exports rely heavily on manufacturing, whereas exports to the rest of the UK rely more heavily on services
• ‘Food, beverages, and tobacco’ remains the largest industry sector for Scotland’s international exports, accounting for a fifth (20%) of Scotland’s international export value in 2021
• The USA remains Scotland’s largest international export destination, accounting for 16% of Scotland’s international export value in 2021
• There was strong growth in the value of Scotland’s ‘utilities’ exports to the rest of the UK, which increased by 44.9% (£1.6 billion) between 2019 and 2021
• There was a value decrease in international exports of ‘financial and insurance activities’ (30.4%), and ‘transportation and storage’ (33.8%) between 2019 and 2021