Broad Economy Sales and Exports Statistics Quick Reference Guide
Current publications and tables
The latest Broad Economy Sales and Export Statistics (BESES) publications and tables are available in various formats including HTML, PDF, Microsoft Excel and Open Document Spreadsheets.
In December 2021 NISRA published its Broad Economy Sales and Exports Statistics (BESES) results relating to the sales of local businesses’ during 2020 to markets both within and outside Northern Ireland. The latest publication provides further disaggregation of these results into the value of goods and services sold and also provides information on the value of goods and services purchased by NI businesses.
Headline Results
- Total sales of goods were estimated to be worth £44.7 billion in 2020, a decrease of 7.4% (£3.6 billion) over the year. Total goods represented 66.6% of total sales in 2020.
- Sales of services represented 33.4% of total sales in 2020 and were estimated to be worth £22.4 billion. Sales of services decreased by 2.9% over the year (£0.7 billion).
- Exports of goods were estimated to be worth £7.9 billion in 2020, a decrease of 14.0% (£1.3 billion). Exports of goods represented 77.3% of all exports sales.
- Exports of services represented 22.7% of total export sales in 2020 and were estimated to be worth £2.3 billion. Exports of services decreased by 7.5% (£0.2 billion) over the year.
- Total purchases of goods represented 77.4% of total purchases in 2020 and were estimated to be worth £33.6 billion. Purchases of goods decreased by 9.1% (£3.3 billion) over the year.
- Total purchases of services represented 22.6% of total purchases in 2020 and were estimated to be worth £9.8 billion. Purchases of services increased by 0.8% over the year (£0.1 billion).
- Imports of goods were estimated to be worth £6.3 billion in 2020, a decrease of 8.0% (£0.5 billion). Imports of goods represented 88.2% of all imports.
- Imports of services represented 11.8% of total imports in 2020 and were estimated to be worth £0.8 billion. Imports of services increased by 6.2% (£49 million) over the year.
- Exports of goods and services combined were worth £10.3 billion, while imports of goods and services combined were worth £7.1 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of £3.2 billion.
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
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.