In the second quarter of 2011, total exports of the UK fell by £0.8 billion ($1.3 billion) or 1.1 percent to £73.8 billion ($116.6 billion), but total imports rose by £1.5 billion ($2.4 billion) or 1.5 percent to £98.4 billion ($155.4 billion), both quarter on quarter, according to a report released by the UK's Office for National Statistics (ONS).
In Q2, the UK's total basic metal exports amounted to £5.15 billion ($8.1 billion) increasing 5.2 percent compared to the previous quarter this year and up 37.9 percent year on year, while the country's fabricated metal product exports except machinery stood at £1.18 billion ($1.9 billion), decreasing 4.4 percent compared to the previous quarter and down 1.2 percent year on year.
Meanwhile, in the second quarter of 2011 the UK's basic metal imports totaled £4.9 billion ($7.7 billion), decreasing two percent quarter on quarter and up 23 percent as compared to the same quarter of 2010, while its fabricated metal product exports except machinery amounted to £1.9 billion ($3 billion), with a decrease of 2.9 percent and up three percent on year-on-year basis.