LONDON – Exports of British goods to the European Union collapsed by a record 41% in January after the nation finalised its divorce from the bloc, official data showed today.
The value of UK goods exported to the EU tumbled 40.7% or £5.6 billion (RM32.1 billion) from December, the Office for National Statistics said in a statement.
That drove a 19.3% or £5.3 billion slump in overall UK exports for the month.
The value of EU goods imported into Britain also sank, by a record 29% or £6.6 billion, while overall imports slid almost 22%.
“The January 2021 monthly fall in goods imports and exports are the largest monthly falls since records began in January 1997,” the ONS said.
Britain’s Brexit divorce took full effect at the end of last year. – AFP, March 12, 2021
