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This compared with the revised deficit of £4.3 billion in February, originally published as a deficit of £4.4 billion.

The surplus on trade in services was £3.4 billion, compared with a surplus of £3.3 billion in February, originally published as a surplus of £3.0 billion.

The deficit on trade in goods was £7.4 billion, compared with the revised deficit of £7.6 billion in February, which was originally published as a deficit of £7.5 billion. Exports rose by less than £0.1 billion and imports fell by less than £0.1 billion.

The deficit with the EU (27 countries including Bulgaria and Romania) widened to £3.7 billion, compared with £3.5 billion in February.

Exports rose by less than £0.1 billion but imports rose by £0.2 billion. There was an increase in exports of intermediate goods.

There were increases in imports of oil and aircraft. There were falls in imports of semi-manufactures other than chemicals and intermediate goods.

The deficit with non-EU countries narrowed to £3.8 billion compared with the deficit of £4.1 billion in February.

Exports were virtually unchanged but imports fell by £0.3 billion. There were rises in exports of oil, and consumer goods other than cars.

There were rises in imports of oil and other fuels. There was a fall in imports of aircraft and consumer goods other than cars.

Excluding oil and erratic items, the volume of exports was 1 per cent lower in March than in February and the volume of imports was virtually unchanged.

Export prices were 2.5 per cent higher than in February and import prices were 2 per cent higher.

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Related links

• Office for National Statistics