Fresh sole exports from the United Kingdom: data, top buyers and prices
Exports of fresh sole by the United Kingdom reached $24.7 million in 2024 (1.2 thousand tonnes). It ranks 4th of 71 countries for exports of this product. That is 11% less than in 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Exports by year, 2017-2024
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Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $24.7M | 1.2K t |
| 2023 | $27.8M | 1.3K t |
| 2022 | $29.3M | 1.6K t |
| 2021 | $27.1M | 1.7K t |
| 2020 | $19.9M | 1.6K t |
| 2019 | $18.8M | 1.3K t |
| 2018 | $18.5M | 1.7K t |
| 2017 | $16.8M | 1.1K t |
Where the United Kingdom exports fresh sole to
France alone took 84% of it. Among the main buyer markets, Netherlands grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| France | $20.6M | 84% |
| Belgium | $2.2M | 9% |
| Netherlands | $1.3M | 5.4% |
| Germany | $104K | 0.4% |
| United States | $95K | 0.4% |
| Lebanon | $54K | 0.2% |
| Denmark | $53K | 0.2% |
| Barbados | $49K | 0.2% |
| Austria | $39K | 0.2% |
| Ireland | $23K | 0.1% |
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $21.17 per kg, 24% above the world average of $17.10. This usually points to higher-grade or processed goods.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Fresh sole imports to the United Kingdom
Imports of fresh sole by the United Kingdom reached $748 thousand in 2024 (73 tonnes). Most of the value came from Denmark (35%), Spain (32%), Ireland (14%). Among the main suppliers, Ireland grew fastest (+841% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Denmark | $258K | 35% |
| Spain | $240K | 32% |
| Ireland | $105K | 14% |
| France | $59K | 7.9% |
| Netherlands | $53K | 7.1% |
| Iceland | $20K | 2.6% |
| India | $9K | 1.1% |
| Portugal | $5K | 0.7% |
Who is behind these numbers in the United Kingdom?
The shipment records behind United Kingdom fresh sole exports (HS 0302.23): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
Shipment records are in the platform
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Direct customs feed: shipment-level records from the official customs source.
Source: CEPII BACI (reconciled UN Comtrade data), HS 2017 edition, release 202601, Etalab Open Licence 2.0. Annual values in US dollars at the customs border; quantities in tonnes where reported. HS 0302.23: Fish: fresh or chilled, sole (Solea spp.), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0302.91 to 0302.99.
Common questions
What is the value of fresh sole exported by the United Kingdom?
The United Kingdom exported fresh sole worth $24.7 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 1.2 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 4th of 71 countries worldwide, with 11% of world exports. The value was down 11% on 2023.
Which countries buy fresh sole from the United Kingdom?
France was the largest buyer with 84% of the value ($20.6 million), followed by Belgium (9%) and the Netherlands (5%). The top three together account for 98%, out of 16 buyer countries in total. The United States grew fastest among the top ten, up 147% on the year.
What is the average export price of fresh sole per kg?
The average declared export value was about $21.17 per kg in 2024, 24% above the world average of $17.10 per kg. Because it averages all grades and sizes, treat the figure as a market benchmark, not a price offer.
How have exports of fresh sole from the United Kingdom changed since 2017?
Exports went from $16.8 million in 2017 to $24.7 million in 2024, an increase of 47%. The peak was 2022 at $29.3 million. Over 8 years the average was $22.9 million a year.
Does the United Kingdom also import fresh sole?
Yes. The United Kingdom imported $748 thousand worth of this product in 2024, mainly from Denmark, Spain and Ireland. On balance the United Kingdom is a net exporter of this product, by about $23.9 million a year.
What is the HS code for fresh sole?
The HS code for fresh sole is subheading 0302.23. It sits in HS chapter 03 (fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 0302 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
The totals here are public statistics; the company-level detail sits in EximDataX, which has a direct customs feed for the United Kingdom. Tell us your product to see it live.
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