Background briefing on statistics on UK trade with the Commonwealth

In 2016:

• UK exports to the Commonwealth were worth £48.5 billion; British imports from the Commonwealth were £45.9 billion.
• The UK had a trade surplus with the Commonwealth of £2.6 billion – a deficit in goods was more than offset by a surplus in services.
• The Commonwealth accounted for 8.9% of UK exports in 2016 – roughly the same as UK exports to Germany.
• The Commonwealth accounted 7.8% of UK imports – roughly the same as UK imports from China.
• UK trade with the Commonwealth was heavily focused on five countries – Australia, Canada, India, Singapore and South Africa.