Britain's global trade deficit in goods unexpectedly widened in June to its highest level since last November as exports to non-European Union countries fell sharply, official figures showed today.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said that the global goods deficit widened to £4.5 billion from £4.1 billion in May and versus analysts' forecasts of £3.8 billion.
An official statistician cautioned, however, that ongoing computer problems meant that the figures could be subject to a much greater than usual degree of revision as there were measurement problems with non-EU exports.
He said that his "instinct" was that non-EU exports would be revised higher, thus lowering the trade gap.
The non-EU deficit came in at £2.7 billion in June from £2.26 billion in May, also much wider than forecast. Exports to non-EU countries were down 13.1 per cent on the month right across the board with the US accounting for about a quarter of the drop.
Separately, the ONS released figures on producer prices. These showed non-seasonally adjusted output prices rose 0.2 per cent in July versus analysts' expectations of a 0.1 per cent rise.
Adjusted input prices rose 1.8 per cent on the month, the biggest jump since December. The ONS said a jump in crude oil prices was partially offset by a fall in imported chemical prices.