Fastest Growing Industries by Imports in United Kingdom in 2026

• 1. Non-Alcoholic Beer Production in the UK

  Growth in Imports for 2026: 26.6%

  Non-Alcoholic Beer Production in the UK is experiencing lift-off. Sales of alcohol-free beers are booming as Brits increasingly moderate their drinking, with health and financial pressures driving cutbacks in alcohol consumption. Younger consumers are leading the change, driven by wellness culture and a desire to avoid post-drinking anxiety as health awareness grows. Major brewers have moved fast to cement their place, rolling out alcohol-free versions of favourites like Stella Artois, Madri ...

  Learn More

• 2. Loaded Electronic Board Manufacturing in the UK

  Growth in Imports for 2026: 25.8%

  Loaded electronic boards are the foundation for nearly all electronic products, ranging from consumer electronics like mobile phones and personal computers to sophisticated commercial equipment like data communications devices and computer servers. Although UK manufacturers make up just a small part of the global electronic goods manufacturing industry, UK companies have considerable strengths in electronics design. Because of high domestic labour and production costs, however, final electron...

  Learn More

• 3. Game & Toy Manufacturing in the UK

  Growth in Imports for 2026: 24.0%

  Over the five years through 2025-26, industry revenue is projected to rise at a compound annual rate of 8.1% to reach £973 million. Growth has been supported by strong branding, licensing deals and the rebound in retail sales. Games Workshop’s Amazon agreement is pushing Warhammer into mainstream entertainment, attracting new audiences, while Hornby has streamlined operations after leaving the stock market in 2025. HTI’s Sambro takeover has created the UK’s largest independent toy company, co...

  Learn More

• 4. Malt Manufacturing in the UK

  Growth in Imports for 2026: 22.7%

  The bulk of malt produced in the UK comes from malting barley, predominantly secured from local growers in the country's eastern regions. After experiencing a downturn in 2020-21 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Malt Manufacturing industry rebounded and has since remained robust. The industry stayed resilient even in the face of rampant inflation in 2022-23. Many malt manufacturers saw their revenue climb over the year as they passed higher costs onto their buyers. At the same time, mounting...

  Learn More

• 5. Railway Equipment Manufacturing in the UK

  Growth in Imports for 2026: 14.8%

  Rolling stock manufacturers rely heavily on long-term rolling stock replacement contracts. These contracts have long lead times and involve periodic payments throughout the manufacturing process, followed by a balloon payment when the project reaches completion, creating a high level of revenue and profit volatility. The industry's performance is heavily dependent on the performance of Alstom Transport and Hitachi Rail, with both companies holding 55.3% of market share. Revenue is forecast to...

  Learn More

• 6. Building Plaster Product Manufacturing in the UK

  Growth in Imports for 2026: 14.1%

  The UK building plaster manufacturing industry has undergone significant changes over the past five years, driven by fluctuating construction demand, cost pressures and a rapid shift toward digitalisation and automation. Major manufacturers have invested in predictive maintenance and digital twin technology to control costs and maintain solid margins, despite unstable energy and input prices. Industry leaders have also benefitted from scale and company-owned gypsum supplies, which have insula...

  Learn More

• 7. Motor Vehicle Battery Manufacturing in the UK

  Growth in Imports for 2026: 14.0%

  ...

  Learn More

• 8. Hollow Glass Manufacturing in the UK

  Growth in Imports for 2026: 13.9%

  Hollow glass is used to bottle, store and pack food and beverages sold by downstream retailers and hospitality establishments. This industry also caters to the packing needs of cosmetics, perfume and pharmaceutical markets, as well as other applications, including stemware and tableware. Demand for hollow glass products is ultimately determined by levels of private consumption, which is dictated by consumer confidence and disposable income.

  Revenue is set to ascend at a compound annual...

  Learn More

• 9. Bottled Water Production in the UK

  Growth in Imports for 2026: 13.6%

  Bottled water producers are reaping the rewards of mounting health consciousness. As consumers become more health-focused, interest in bottled water as an alternative to fizzy drinks is growing. The focus on health is particularly benefitting premium bottled waters, which are gaining traction due to their added functional benefits like vitamins and electrolytes. This has presented an opportunity for imported water to expand, with brands like Evian and Fiji leveraging their global heritage and...

  Learn More

• 10. Electronic Component Manufacturing in the UK

  Growth in Imports for 2026: 12.5%

  Although UK companies design many new electronic components, the UK industry is not considered a global market leader. There’s been a tendency to outsource manufacturing away from the UK and, in some cases, to stop physical manufacturing altogether. Instead, there's a focus on producing and selling intellectual property in a process known as fabless manufacturing. This trend has been difficult for smaller manufacturers, which have either opted to leave or consolidate within the industry. UK d...

  Learn More