Fastest Growing Industries by Imports in Australia in 2026

• 1. Gold Ore Mining in Australia

  Growth in Imports for 2026: 31.8%

  Australia's gold ore miners have performed well over the past few years thanks to skyrocketing gold prices, driven by growing consumer demand for gold to hedge against inflation, economic uncertainty and geopolitical unrest. More recently, the US's sweeping tariffs have escalated trade tensions, causing uncertainty to loom over global economic growth prospects. This trend has rattled investors' confidence in riskier assets, propelling demand for safe-haven assets like g...

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• 2. Nickel Ore Mining in Australia

  Growth in Imports for 2026: 28.2%

  Nickel ore miners faced mostly positive operating conditions over the past decade, with strong pricing growth over most of the period amid rising global demand for nickel. However, in 2023-24, oversupply in the global market prompted a sharp price downturn, forcing smaller nickel ore miners like Wyloo and Panoramic Resources to cease and suspend operations. The Federal Government reacted to weak nickel ore prices and these closures by providing relief through tax credits and subsidies, adding...

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• 3. Poultry Processing in Australia

  Growth in Imports for 2026: 25.1%

  The Poultry Processing industry has experienced mixed operating conditions in recent years. Despite increased poultry consumption, intense competition among the major supermarkets has limited poultry price growth, even contributing to a fall in 2024-25 that has negatively impacted industry revenue. However, lower poultry prices have aided profitability for processers through lower input costs. Domestic wheat feed price fluctuations have contributed to volatile costs, prompting processors to c...

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• 4. Sheep Farming in Australia

  Growth in Imports for 2026: 21.4%

  Variations in turn-off rates and wool production volumes have seen industry revenue fluctuate over the past five years, and fall overall. Farmers have continued to focus on export markets to expand revenue. Demand for wool in the key market of China has recovered from COVID-19 pandemic lows. However, uncertain economic conditions have weighed on prices. Industry revenue is expected to have dropped at an annualised 2.6% over the five years through 2024-25, to $3.4 billion. This includes an ant...

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• 5. Gold and Other Non-Ferrous Metal Processing in Australia

  Growth in Imports for 2026: 14.5%

  The Gold and Other Non-Ferrous Metal Processing industry has grown substantially in recent years. Uncertain economic environments have increased the global appetite for gold bullion, benefiting domestic processors like Gold Corporation and Pallion tremendously. High inflation and interest rates cast doubts on the possibility of a soft landing for the United States and the broader global economy. The resulting concerns saw purchases of investment-grade gold surge, driving the commodity's price...

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• 6. Sugar Manufacturing in Australia

  Growth in Imports for 2026: 13.6%

  Sugar manufacturers have faced volatile commodity prices and fluctuating weather patterns over the five years through 2023-24. How milled sugar is marketed and exported is also changing, causing a shift in supply chain processes and uncertainty among sugar manufacturers. The industry revenue is expected to increase at an average annual rate of 2.3% over the five years through 2023-24 to an estimated $3.6 billion. However, industry revenue is expected to decrease by 0.9% in 2023-24. Both the w...

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• 7. Prefabricated Metal Building Manufacturing in Australia

  Growth in Imports for 2026: 11.8%

  The Prefabricated Metal Building Manufacturing industry supplies crucial portable building solutions to many sectors across the economy. These include mining, construction, agriculture, tourism, education and healthcare firms; households; and government agencies. Manufacturers offer diverse products, including housing, site offices, accommodation units, ticketing units and staff amenities like bathrooms and mess halls. The industry is highly fragmented and mainly comprises small-scale busines...

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• 8. Ready-Mixed Concrete Manufacturing in Australia

  Growth in Imports for 2026: 11.4%

  The Ready-Mixed Concrete Manufacturing industry has navigated significant shifts in recent years as demand drivers evolve and market consolidation intensifies. Concrete's perishability limits supply to local markets, reinforcing the dominance of large vertically integrated manufacturers like Boral Limited, Hanson Australia, Holcim Australia and Adbri Limited, which account for over two-thirds of industry sales.

  Industry revenue has fallen at an average annualised rate of 1.7% for the f...

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• 9. Mining and Construction Machinery Manufacturing in Australia

  Growth in Imports for 2026: 11.2%

  The Mining and Construction Machinery Manufacturing industry has experienced a downturn in recent years. Supply chain disruptions and weak conditions in downstream construction markets have driven revenue declines. However, there are signs of recovery, with industry profitability having improved as companies adapt to market pressures through a focus on aftermarket services. Industry revenue is expected to have fallen at an annualised 1.2% over the five years through 2024-25 to $4.9 billion. T...

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• 10. Communication Equipment Manufacturing in Australia

  Growth in Imports for 2026: 11.1%

  Communication equipment manufacturers have faced varied trading conditions in recent years. Economic uncertainties driven by high costs of living weakened industry demand in downstream markets. In addition, imports from low-cost producers like China and Vietnam have penetrated the market, as manufacturers in these countries can take advantage of lower labour and manufacturing costs. This trend has significantly reduced local manufacturers' competitiveness. This, coupled with the strengthening...

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