Biggest Exporting Industries in United Kingdom in 2026

• 1. Precious Metals Production in the UK

  Imports for 2026: £63.5B

  The Precious Metals Production industry's revenue is forecast to expand at a compound annual rate of 21.5% over the five years through 2024-25 to £396.4 million. Soaring precious metal prices mean that smaller companies have been able to operate with only a handful of staff while still making enough money to keep going. However, as gold and silver are used less in film and digital technology, the amount of precious metals recoverable from scrap has fallen, raising purchasing costs and somewha...

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• 2. Aircraft, Engine & Parts Manufacturing in the UK

  Imports for 2026: £38.1B

  The Aircraft, Engine and Parts Manufacturing industry’s revenue is forecast to dip at a compound annual rate of 2.8% to £39.9 billion over the five years through 2024-25, including an estimated revenue jump of 0.4% in 2024-25. The industry has been swiftly recovering from the pandemic-induced slump in 2020-21. The industry is a major investment, research and development source for global aircraft production. Orders for aircraft and related equipment are typically placed years in advance, mean...

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• 3. Motor Vehicle Manufacturing in the UK

  Imports for 2026: £28.8B

  A lack of investment has pushed the UK Motor Vehicle Manufacturing industry into decline. Engine production is inching downwards as the industry struggles to attract investment because of higher EU production and multinationals wanting to be part of an integrated EU supply chain to reduce costs. The pandemic deepened the industry's troubles – output dropped by 29.3% in 2020, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) – and recovery has been challenging. Motor vehicle p...

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• 4. Pharmaceutical Preparations Manufacturing in the UK

  Imports for 2026: £15.2B

  Pharmaceutical preparations manufacturing revenue is expected to contract at a compound annual rate of 0.7% over the five years through 2025-26 to £24.4 billion. The aftermath of the pandemic has raised demand for medicines as healthcare facilities work through patient backlogs. However, the surging Voluntary Scheme for Branded Medicines Pricing, Access and Growth rate has elevated the proportion of revenue returned to the NHS, constraining revenue. Moreover, global supply chain disruptions, ...

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• 5. Crude Petroleum & Natural Gas Extraction in the UK

  Imports for 2026: £12.9B

  UK oil and gas production has diminished over the past decade because old oil fields have matured while developing new commercially viable sources has become increasingly challenging. To combat this, extractors have pooled their resources and formed partnerships to enhance efficiency, while some have benefitted from previous investments in fields coming onstream. Oil and gas extracting companies also reaped the rewards of an upsurge in global prices through 2022-23, leading to sharp revenue g...

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• 6. Petroleum Refining in the UK

  Imports for 2026: £11.0B

  Petroleum refining companies in the UK produce a wide variety of products. Fuels for transport and heating are the most common, with petroleum products for transport accounting for almost three-quarters of product demand. Industry revenue is expected to swell at a compound annual rate of 2.6% over the five years through 2024-25 to £50.7 billion, including a forecast dip of 0.2% in 2024-25, owing to staggering volatility in oil prices in recent years.

  The COVID-19 pandemic took its toll...

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• 7. Off-Road Vehicle Manufacturing in the UK

  Imports for 2026: £9.4B

  Industry revenue is forecast to grow at a compound annual rate of 3.4% to £20.2 billion over the five years through 2025-26, including revenue growth of 4% in 2025-26, where profit will be 8.6%. The pandemic led to a steep drop in revenue as car makers halted production and export orders fell off a cliff. Jaguar Land Rover reported that revenue fell in 2020-21 due to disruptions caused by the pandemic. Manufacturers have had to contend with supply chain issues and semiconductor shortages, rai...

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• 8. Measuring, Testing & Navigational Equipment Manufacturing in the UK

  Imports for 2026: £8.4B

  In the UK, several successful manufacturers are pioneering world-leading technologies. The Measuring, Testing and Navigational Equipment industry's high level of globalisation has provided some revenue opportunities but has left manufacturers vulnerable to exchange rate fluctuations. International trade plays a vital part, with a large proportion of revenue from outside the UK.

  Over the five years through 2023-24, revenue is expected to decline at a compound annual rate of 0.4% to £13.3...

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• 9. Spirit Production in the UK

  Imports for 2026: £6.9B

  The UK Spirit Production industry has continued to strive forward. Premium spirits, specifically whiskies, have seen an impressive surge in demand, with many distilleries focusing their production on these high-end creations. Revenue is expected to edge up at a compound annual rate of 0.6% over the five years through 2024-25 to £7.5 billion, including a forecast hike of 2.9% in 2024-25.

  Consumers have become increasingly willing to splurge on discretionary products like spirits as they...

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• 10. Whisky Production in the UK

  Imports for 2026: £5.5B

  The production of Scotch whisky dominates the Whisky Production industry. Scotch whisky can only be produced in Scotland in line with strict regulatory standards, which restrict the supply and enhance premiumisation. The growing popularity of whisky has enticed a number of new distillers into the market recently, making the industry more fragmented, though the largest distillers — notably Diageo and Chivas Brothers — still hold the lion’s shares of the market through their flagship brands. Learn More