According to the Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics (ICBS), exports from the UK to Israel (excluding diamonds) totalled $3.45 billion between January and June 2018, up from $1.97 billion in the first half of 2017. In June alone, UK exports to Israel jumped from $335.7 million in 2017 to $606.2 million this year.
Mineral products, machinery and electrical equipment and products of the chemical industry led the way. This continues a trend that has grown steadily from a base of $3.66 billion in 2016 to $4.30 billion in 2017 and will provide a template for other bilateral trade relationships after the Brexit process is completed.
Two-way trade between the UK and Israel has grown by eight percent in the first half of 2018 ‐ from $4 billion in 2017 to $4.33 billion in 2018. This is on top record levels achieved in the last two years: $9.1 billion in 2017 and $7.2 billion in 2016, according to the ICBS.
British PM Theresa May highlighted the importance of UK-Israel trade during a speech in London last month, when she applauded the strength of the relationship binding the countries together.