Figures showed that the value of British exports bought by the EU’s other members “fell in 2012 and has been subdued since”, with the ONS highlighting falls of exports to the bloc of 3.4pc in 2014, and 2.7pc last year.

The statistics authority said: “The extent of overseas demand for UK products may have been limited by prevailing global economic conditions.”

Trade figures on exports to the EU may also be inflated by the 'Rotterdam effect'. This refers to the theory that exports to the Netherlands are high because they are shipped to Rotterdam, before continuing on around the world to a non-EU destination.

The ONS has previously addressed the Rotterdam effect, and concluded that "it is not possible to estimate, with any certainty, the impact that the Rotterdam effect has on UK trade with the Netherlands and its subsequent impact on UK trade with EU and non-EU countries".

The ONS said that since 1999, British exports to non-EU countries have risen by an average of 5.8pc a year.