Northern Ireland businesses export £8.4 billion more than they import in 2024
Date published:
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Trade
New accredited official statistics published today by NISRA present information on Northern Ireland Economic Trade Statistics for 2024.
Key findings
- In 2024, total sales by businesses in Northern Ireland (NI) were estimated to be worth £109.3 billion.
- Sales within NI amounted to £69.5 billion, accounting for 63.6% of total sales.
- The remainder of sales were fairly evenly split between those to GB (£20.1 billion) and sales to markets outside the UK (i.e. exports) of £19.6 billion, accounting for 18.4% and 18.0% of total sales respectively in 2024.
- Total sales of goods were estimated to be worth £69.4 billion in 2024, an increase of 5.3% (£3.5 billion) over the year. Total sales of goods represented 63.5% of total sales in 2024.
- Sales of services represented 36.5% of total sales in 2024 and were estimated to be worth £39.9 billion, an increase of 11.5% over the year (£4.1 billion).
- Total purchases by NI businesses were estimated to be £66.8 billion in 2024.
- Purchases within NI amounted to £39.3 billion, accounting for 58.8% of total purchases.
- Total purchases of goods were estimated to be worth £52.4 billion, an increase of 3.8% (£1.9 billion) over the year. Total purchases of goods represented 78.4% of total purchases in 2024.
- Purchases of services represented 21.6% of total purchases in 2024 and were estimated to be worth £14.4 billion, an increase of 8.0%.
- In terms of the balance of trade, NI businesses exported more goods and services (£19.6 billion) than they imported (£11.2 billion), resulting in a trade surplus of £8.4 billion.
About this publication
This bulletin provides summary statistical information on Northern Ireland Economic Trade Statistics (NIETS).
It is an annual measure of local businesses' trade with markets inside and outside Northern Ireland and measures both the sales and purchases of goods and services by business in the non-financial industry sectors.
Further information
For the full report: Northern Ireland Economic Trade Statistics 2024
View the data tables and background information: NI Economic Trade