Estimates of the number of businesses selling to markets outside NI are also presented. The latest estimates remain designated as ‘experimental’ to reflect the fact that they are under development.
Northern Ireland Broad Economy Sales and Exports Statistics: Goods and Services 2016 - published 22 March 2018
Headline Results - Exports
- Total sales by companies in Northern Ireland (NI) were estimated to be worth £68.9 billion in 2016, an increase of 2.7% (£1.8 billion) over the year.Total sales of goods were estimated to be worth £49.4 billion in 2016, an increase of 2.4% (£1.2 billion) over the year
- Sales of services represented 28.3% of total sales in 2016 and were estimated to be worth £19.5 billion. Sales of services increased by 3.4% over the year (£0.6 billion).
- External sales to markets outside of NI rose by £1.0 billion (4.2%) to £24.1 billion in 2016.
- External sales of goods by NI companies were estimated to be worth £18.8 billion in 2016, 78.0% of all external sales. This represents an increase of 2.9% over the year (£0.5 billion).
- External sales of services were estimated to be worth £5.3 billion or 22.0% of all external sales in 2016. This represents an increase of 9.1% (£0.4 billion) over the year.
- Exports were estimated to be worth £10.1 billion in 2016, an increase of 7.3% (£0.7 billion) over the year.
- Exports of goods were estimated to be worth £8.3 billion in 2016, an increase of 5.7% (£0.4 billion). Exports of goods represented 81.9% of all exports sales.
- Exports of services represented 18.1% of total export sales in 2016 and were estimated to be worth £1.8 billion. Exports of services increased by 15.1% (£0.2 billion) over the year.
Headline Results - Imports
- Total purchases by companies in Northern Ireland (NI) were estimated to be worth £44.3 billion in 2016, an increase of 1.9% (£0.8 billion) over the year.
- Total purchases of goods were estimated to be worth £35.2 billion in 2016, an increase of 3.3% (£1.1 billion) over the year
- Total purchases of services represented 20.5% of total purchases in 2016 and were estimated to be worth £9.1 billion. Purchases of services decreased by 3.0% over the year (£0.3 billion).
- Imports were estimated to be worth £6.8 billion in 2016, an increase of 11.2% (£0.7 billion) over the year.
- Imports of goods were estimated to be worth £6.1 billion in 2016, an increase of 11.0% (£0.6 billion). Imports of goods represented 89.7% of all imports.
- Imports of services represented 10.3% of total imports in 2016 and were estimated to be worth £0.7 billion. Imports of services increased by 13.2% (£0.1 billion) over the year.
- Imports from ROI were estimated to be worth £2.3 billion in 2016, an increase of 16.7% (£0.3 billion) over the year.
- Imports from REU were estimated to be worth £2.1 billion in 2016, an increase of 4.2% (£0.1 billion) over the year.
- Imports from ROW were estimated to be worth £2.4 billion in 2016, an increase of 12.9% (£0.3 billion) over the year.
Current publications and tables
EU Exit analysis
Comparison with HMRC Regional Trade Statistics
BESES estimates are not directly comparable with HMRC Regional Trade Statistics due to methodological differences. NISRA and HMRC have released a joint statement regarding the different value of exports produced by each method.
Background information
Archive data
Mailing list
If you would like to be added to a mailing list and receive the latest publications on the day they publish please email: economicstats@nisra.gov.uk with the title of the publications you would like to receive.