Exports statistics Scotland 2021

The two largest export sectors to the rest of the UK were service sectors

‘Financial and insurance activities’ was the largest industry sector for exports to the rest of the UK in 2021. This sector valued an estimated £9.2 billion and accounted for 19% of Scotland’s exports to the rest of the UK. ‘Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles’ was the second largest export sector, valuing £6.7 billion in 2021. Together these two service industries accounted for a third of the value of Scotland’s export to the rest of the UK.

The value of exports to both of these sectors dropped in 2020, but in 2021 they broadly returned to pre-pandemic levels (2019).

‘Utilities’ was the third largest sector for exports to the rest of the UK in 2021.

Figure 7. In 2021, for exports to the rest of the UK, ‘financial and insurance activities’ was the highest value sector

Estimated value of top five sectors for exports to the rest of the UK in 2021.