UK trade deficit in January rose to 2.6 billion pounds

Trade deficit (goods and services ) in the UK increased in January 2014 by 3.8 times – up to 2.565 billion pounds from the revised 668 billion pounds in December last year , according to the National Statistical Office of the country. Experts interviewed by Bloomberg, the average expected growth to 2.2 billion pounds from the previously announced 1.206 billion pounds.

Exports of goods and services from the UK fell by 2.2 % compared with the previous month – up to 41.018 billion pounds. Imports increased by 2.3% and amounted to 43.538 billion pounds.

Exports of goods from Britain declined last month compared to the previous 4% – up to 24.248 billion pounds. Imports of goods increased by 3.4% and amounted to 34.041 billion pounds. Thus, the negative balance of trade in goods in January amounted to 9.793 billion pounds , up 27.8% on December .
Economists were expecting the figure at 8.6 billion pounds.

British trade deficit in goods with EU countries in January rose to 5.803 billion compared with 5.341 billion pounds a month earlier. The merchandise trade deficit with non-EU countries increased to 3.990 billion from 2.321 billion pounds.