Greek yoghurt has emerged as Greece’s leading export to the United Kingdom, recording a 67.1% increase in value during the first eight months of 2026. Overall, Greek exports to the British market rose by 29%, according to figures from His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC), included in the latest Economic and Business Developments Bulletin issued by the Office of Economic and Commercial Affairs at the Greek Embassy in London.

More specifically, the value of Greek yoghurt exports to the United Kingdom reached £152.57 million between January and August 2026, placing the product first among Greek exports to the country. The figures confirm the strong presence of Greek dairy products in the British market and the significant demand they attract.

In second place were circular-section iron and steel pipes, with exports worth £107.94 million, an impressive increase of 7,804.1%. They were followed by refined petroleum oils, worth £94.61 million, up 268.1%, and insulated wire, coaxial cables and other insulated electric conductors, with exports of £91.88 million, an increase of 45.8%.

Fifth place went to medicines in dosage form or retail packaging, with exports worth £82.89 million, despite a decline of 15.6%. Greek cheeses also recorded a strong presence, ranking sixth with exports worth £77.43 million, up 16.7%.

The top 10 also included copper tubes, worth £61.07 million; aluminium plates, sheets and strips, worth £44.13 million; meters for measuring the supply or production of gas, liquids and electricity, worth £39.44 million; and vegetables prepared in vinegar or acetic acid, worth £33.16 million.

Total Greek exports rise by 29%

The positive picture for Greek exports is not limited to dairy products. According to British figures, total Greek exports of goods to the United Kingdom reached £1.32 billion in the eight months from January to August 2026, compared with £1.02 billion in the same period of 2025, representing an increase of 29%.

By contrast, British exports to Greece rose marginally by 1.1%, reaching £650.94 million, compared with £644.12 million in the corresponding eight-month period of the previous year.

As a result, the total volume of bilateral trade reached £1.97 billion, up 18.2% compared with the same period in 2025. Greece’s trade surplus widened by 76.9% to £665.12 million, from £376.03 million a year earlier.

Greece’s overall position among suppliers to the British market is also noteworthy. According to an analysis of HMRC data by the Office of Economic and Commercial Affairs in London, Greece recorded the largest percentage increase in the value of UK imports among European Union member states during the eight-month period under review, rising by 29.41%.

This performance moved Greece up to 44th place among the United Kingdom’s supplier countries, from 48th place in the corresponding period of 2025. Ireland followed, with an increase of 23.44%.

Total UK imports from the European Union rose by 6.7% in value. However, the EU’s share of total British imports fell to 43.36%, from 46.45% in the corresponding eight-month period of 2025. By contrast, imports from countries outside the EU increased by 20.89%, taking their share to 56.64%.

Greek statistics also confirm upward trend

Greek exports to the United Kingdom are also showing an upward trend according to provisional data from the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT), as analysed by the Office of Economic and Commercial Affairs at the Greek Embassy in London.

According to these figures, the value of Greek exports to the United Kingdom during the first eight months of 2026 reached €1.686 billion, compared with €1.296 billion in the corresponding period of 2025, an increase of 30.1%.

Meanwhile, Greek imports from the United Kingdom amounted to €673.93 million, up 17.7% from €572.75 million the previous year.

The bilateral trade balance recorded a surplus in Greece’s favour of approximately €1.01 billion, an increase of 39.9% compared with the same period in 2025, when it stood at €723.19 million. At the same time, the total volume of bilateral transactions rose by 26.3%, reaching €2.359 billion, compared with €1.869 billion in the first eight months of 2025.

The figures highlight the growing strength of Greek products in the British market, with yoghurt topping the export rankings and cheese also maintaining a strong presence. Meanwhile, the overall rise in Greek exports and the widening trade surplus underline the significant potential for further strengthening trade relations between Greece and the United Kingdom.

Bilateral trade between Greece and the UK rises by 26.3% in first eight months of 2026

The total volume of trade between Greece and the United Kingdom increased by 26.3% in the first eight months of 2026 compared with the same period a year earlier, according to ELSTAT figures included in the October 2026 Economic and Business Developments Bulletin issued by the Office of Economic and Commercial Affairs at the Greek Embassy in London.

More specifically, the total value of trade between the two countries reached €2.359 billion between January and August 2026, compared with €1.869 billion in the corresponding eight-month period of 2025.

Greek exports to the United Kingdom amounted to €1.686 billion, compared with €1.296 billion in the same period of 2025, representing an increase of 30.1%.

Imports from the United Kingdom also increased, reaching €673.93 million, compared with €572.75 million in the first eight months of the previous year, a rise of 17.7%.

The trade balance remained in surplus in Greece’s favour, with the surplus reaching €1.01 billion, compared with €723.19 million in the corresponding period of 2025, an increase of 39.9%.

According to the same figures, the picture of bilateral trade is also reflected in data from the British tax and customs authority, HMRC, which are presented separately in the bulletin and record trade transactions in pounds sterling.

Based on these figures, Greek exports to the United Kingdom reached £1.32 billion, up 29% compared with the first eight months of 2025, while British exports to Greece amounted to £650.94 million, an increase of 1.1%.

According to the British figures, total bilateral trade reached £1.97 billion, up 18.2%, while Greece’s trade surplus stood at £665.12 million, compared with £376.03 million in the corresponding period of 2025.