Are we windier than the EU? Genuine question? I would assume that since we are never that far, relatively speaking, from the sea then we are probably windier than most?

"The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command." - 1984 - George Orwell.

UK exports to the EU drop by 40% in January.

[Link]

Obviously a concern but there are mitigating factors:

1. Prior to leaving the EU for good companies stocked up in the months before hand in case there were problems in January. This meant they did not need to order as much from the UK and vice versa.

2. We went into lock down in January

3. The French imposed strict rules on lorry drivers.

4. And yes there were red tape teething problems.

Anyway we will have to see if the exports bounce back in the next few months before we can know for certain if this is a blip or a trend.

Edited by Badger11 (12 Mar 2021 10.26am)

One more point

Buying UK stuff is such a big hassle, unless its entirely necessary you just don't bother, it is complicated, expensive and delivery is uncertain.

And this, entirely foreseeable, is what is happening.

Exporting to the UK from the EU is ok now though as the transition has returned until next January.

For exports to the UK, it is minus brexit for EU exports, so the EU can resume without the problems that UK exporters have, albeit without great enthusiasm, the UK wants to eat after-all.

One can only feel derision for the UKs total lack of preparedness, lack of attention to detail, rushed negotiating stance playing into the EUs hands.

But the most striking thing about the UK is its baseless optimism on this and so many other matters.

If you can't focus on reality, then you can't fix it.

I think we need to make it clear to the EU that unless they start behaving reasonably we shall do to them what they are doing to us. It is a road that benefits no one but as you say if they intend to put obstacles in our way so be it.

One more point

Extremely worrying trade figures from the Food & Drink Federation on exports.

Hard to split out the Brexit affect from the Covid affect but if this persists this is going to be businesses going bust and job losses all over the place.

[Link]

You cannot compare a standard non covid month nearly a year before Brexit with a covid month immediately after Brexit and get like for like results.
I don't read anything into the figures at all except that I am amazed that we still exported so much given the conditions we were working under.