This BESES publication was originally scheduled for March 2021. However it was necessary to extend the data collection period, and subsequently delay publication, in light of the current economic climate and pressures being faced by local businesses resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. See the COVID-19 and the production of statistics page for more information. The publication date for the upcming Imports publication has similarly been delayed Autumn 2021.
NISRA published its Broad Economy Sales and Exports Statistics (BESES) results relating to local businesses’ sales in 2019 to markets outside Northern Ireland (NI). The latest publication provides further disaggregation of these results into the value of goods and services sold. All values are in current prices and relate to the sales of both goods and services.
Northern Ireland Broad Economy Sales and Exports Statistics: Goods and Services Results 2019 - published 28 July 2021.
Headline Results
- Total sales by companies in Northern Ireland (NI) were estimated to be worth £71.9 billion in 2019, an increase of 4.6% (£3.2 billion) over the year.
- Total sales of goods were estimated to be worth £47.8 billion in 2019, an increase of 3.1% (£1.5 billion) over the year. Total goods represented 66.5% of total sales in 2019.
- Sales of services represented 33.5% of total sales in 2019 and were estimated to be worth £24.1 billion. Sales of services increased by 7.6% over the year (£1.7 billion).
- External sales to markets outside of NI increased by £0.7 billion (3.3%) to £23.0 billion in 2019.
- External sales of goods by NI companies were estimated to be worth £15.9 billion in 2019, 69.3% of all external sales. This represents an increase of 2.1% over the year (£0.3 billion).
- External sales of services were estimated to be worth £7.0 billion or 30.7% of all external sales in 2019. This represents an increase of 6.2% (£0.4 billion) over the year.
- Exports (sales outside the UK) were estimated to be worth £11.7 billion in 2019, an increase of 0.4% (£45 million) over the year.
- Exports of goods were estimated to be worth £9.1 billion in 2019, an increase of 0.3% (£31 million). Exports of goods represented 78.0% of all exports sales.
- Exports of services represented 22.0% of total export sales in 2019 and were estimated to be worth £2.6 billion. Exports of services increased by 0.6% (£14 million) 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.
User Consultation
Background information
- Background information for Broad Economy Sales and Exports statistics
- Statistical protocols and compliance
Usage, methods & quality and revisions policy
Archive data
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