What % of imports were from the Empire during 1890-1914
25.9%
What % of exports went to the Empire during 1890-1914
37.2%
What % of Britain's exports went to India during 1890-1914
20% (£150 million)
The Empire provided less than 10% of foodstuffs
In 1894 Britain imported 64 million hundredweight of wheat: 30.7 million from the USA, 17.2 million from Russia and 3.6 million from Canada.
The Empires total trade in 1896 was worth £ 745 million, but the Empire only accounted £ 183 million.
Trade with the Empire was far less profitable than trade with other countries.
There were fierce debate concerning whether the colonies were an expensive encumbrance or a valuable asset.
Pro-imperialist Joseph Chamberlain, who convened the 1902 London Colonial Conference. This discussed closer economic ties in the form of an imperial customs union.
