UK-EU trade falls sharply as Brexit disruption starts to bite

UK-EU trade falls sharply as Brexit disruption starts to bite

Disruption caused by Brexit took its toll on Anglo-French trade at the start of this year, mirroring declines in commercial activity between the UK and other large EU countries.

French exports to the UK were down 13 per cent in January compared with the average of the previous six months, while French imports from the UK fell 20 per cent, according to the French customs office. "Trade with Britain is disrupted due to Brexit,“ it said. Overall, French exports and imports both rose in January from the previous month.

Anglo-French trade had recovered from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic last year, rising for the second consecutive year, boosted by companies stockpiling before the UK left the EU single market at the end of December.

Even though the UK and EU agreed a last-ditch trade deal to avoid tariffs on most goods which came into force on January 1, trade has still been disrupted by higher shipping costs, transportation delays, health certificate requirements and more complex customs requirements at the border. 

Some tariffs are still levied on goods that are imported into the UK and then re-exported to EU markets with little or no further processing.

The French figures added to indications that the frictional