Biggest Importing Industries in United Kingdom in 2026

• 1. Precious Metals Production in the UK

  Imports for 2026: £48.0B

  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. Motor Vehicle Manufacturing in the UK

  Imports for 2026: £45.0B

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

  Imports for 2026: £27.8B

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

  Imports for 2026: £24.5B

  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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• 5. Petroleum Refining in the UK

  Imports for 2026: £22.3B

  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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• 6. Communication Equipment Manufacturing in the UK

  Imports for 2026: £18.4B

  The world is increasingly connected. People communicate through a host of devices and services such as smartphones and computers. Connections are made via radio, TV, infrastructure and smart devices such as alarm systems, which are now often connected directly to the authorities. Communications equipment is used to establish these connections and manufacturing such equipment is a vital component of the global manufacturing sector. UK firms specialise in producing high-value products, competin...

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• 7. Computer & Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing in the UK

  Imports for 2026: £14.6B

  The Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing industry is highly competitive, with low selling prices and tight profitability. These low prices, as well as the release of new and enhanced products, computer software and applications, have helped to drive sales. However, computer and peripheral equipment manufacturing activity has largely shifted to countries with low-cost labour and more efficient supply chains.

  Revenue is estimated to decline at a compound annual rate of 2.3% ov...

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• 8. Clothing Manufacturing in the UK

  Imports for 2026: £14.2B

  The UK Clothing Manufacturing industry is in decline owing to severe labour shortages, surging input prices and intense import competition. Over the five years through 2024-25, revenue is expected to contract at a compound annual rate of 6% to £2.2 billion. This is partly due to a sharp revenue decline in 2020-21 caused by disruption created by COVID-19, followed by the cost-of-living crisis slashing disposable incomes in 2022-23. Over 2024-25, revenue is expected to tumble by 1.8% as inflati...

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• 9. Pharmaceutical Preparations Manufacturing in the UK

  Imports for 2026: £13.8B

  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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• 10. Motor Vehicle Parts & Accessories Manufacturing in the UK

  Imports for 2026: £13.1B

  The Motor Vehicle Parts & Accessories Manufacturing industry remains healthy thanks to the aftermarket as UK car production dwindles. According to the SMMT, UK car makers assembled 779,584 vehicles in 2024, down 13.9% from 2023 – with engine production dropping by 7.1% in 2024. Sharp dips in car production in previous years coupled with current struggles in the automotive sector directly affects the volume of parts ordered.

  Foreign orders present some opportunities, but the competi...

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