Fastest Growing Industries by Imports in the UK in 2023

1. Sanitary Product Manufacturing in the UK

Growth in Imports for 2023: 61.6%

The Sanitary Product Manufacturing industry is challenged by companies restructuring their operations and moving production overseas to take advantage of lower production costs. Stronger brands face competition from low-cost alternatives and higher input costs, putting pressure on prices and squeezing profitability. Despite a temporary surge in sales toilet paper, tissues and other personal-care items when COVID-19 hit (UK consumers stockpiled goods as they feared shortages), revenue dipped in 2020-21, with lockdown measures cutting into demand from businesses. Industry revenue will fall at a compound annual rate of 1.6% over the five years through 2022-23 to £2.7 billion, including a 3.5%... Learn More

2. Wooden Container Manufacturing in the UK

Growth in Imports for 2023: 57.9%

Sales of wooden containers move in line with manufacturing activity, wholesaling activity, UK export levels and demand for the transportation and storage of goods. Industry revenue is anticipated to rise at a compound annual rate of 6.6% over the five years through 2022-23 to £1.2 billion. This growth can be attributed to a surge in wooden container prices in recent years because of swelling timber prices – manufacturers have upped the amount they charge to cover higher input costs, accelerating revenue expansion. Revenue is set to increase by 1.8% in 2022-23. Despite strong recent growth, moderate import competition and strong... Learn More

3. Hollow Glass Manufacturing in the UK

Growth in Imports for 2023: 52.9%

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 need of cosmetics, perfume and pharmaceutical markets, with other applications included the production of stemware and tableware. Demand for hollow glass products is ultimately determined by levels of private consumption, which is dictated by factors like consumer confidence and disposable income.

Revenue is set to increase at a compound annual rate of 2.2% to reach £1.2 billion over the five years through 2022-23. Operators have capitalised on the war on plastic by offering an alternative... Learn More

4. Petroleum Refining in the UK

Growth in Imports for 2023: 45.0%

Operators in the Petroleum Refining industry use a refining process to manufacture petrol and petroleum-based products such as Vaseline, petroleum jelly, paraffin wax and white spirit. Most refineries are geared towards petrol production and have been negatively affected by declining demand for petrol, as this led to oversupply. Some industry operators have closed refineries over the past five years, while others have aimed to find new markets for their excess petrol. A number of operators have altered their production to focus on diesel as the new primary fuel. Diesel is more fuel efficient than petrol and until recently was considered... Learn More

5. Kitchen Furniture Manufacturing in the UK

Growth in Imports for 2023: 41.0%

The range of products churned out by kitchen furniture manufacturers is fairly wide, covering flat-packs or bespoke kitchens, upholstered and un-upholstered chairs, among other things. Industry revenue is forecast to grow at a compound annual rate of 1.2% over the five years through 2022-23 to reach £2.8 billion. Growing residential construction activity propped up kitchen furniture sales prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, but then housebuilding activity came to a temporary standstill. Kitchen renovation were also halted, with builders unable to enter people's homes to carry out work – these factors ate into kitchen furniture sales in 2020-21. Alongside this, after... Learn More

6. Non-Alcoholic Beer Production in the UK

Growth in Imports for 2023: 38.7%

Per-capita alcohol consumption, income, price, health consciousness and consumer preferences drive non-alcoholic beer producers' performance. Over the five years through 2022-23, revenue is set to grow at a compound annual rate of 30% to £807.6 million, including growth of 34.2% in 2022-23, with the average industry profit margin hitting 19.7%.

Shrinking alcohol consumption per capita alongside growing health consciousness is paving the way for industry growth. Popular craft beer producers are rapidly introducing no-alcohol and sustainable beer varieties, driving growth in the non-alcoholic beer industry. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many consumers stuck at home cut out booze, dabbing into non-alcoholic beer... Learn More

7. Seafood Processing in the UK

Growth in Imports for 2023: 35.9%

The Seafood Processing industry's revenue is forecast to decrease at a compound annual rate of 0.5% over the five years through 2022-23 to £3.5 billion. The COVID-19 pandemic hampered revenue growth, while a rise in exports and increased selling prices acted as a counterbalance. Domestic demand conditions have been bleak, as the rising cost-of-living increased inflationary pressures and higher selling prices made seafood products less affordable. Despite this, increasing awareness of the health benefits of consuming seafood pushed back against severe market pressures. Fish catch volumes have declined because of rising costs for fishermen and quotas that constrained the supply... Learn More

8. Aluminium Production in the UK

Growth in Imports for 2023: 35.7%

Operators in the Aluminium Production industry produce aluminium through smelting and recycling scrap metals. They also handle basic aluminium processing. Over the past decade, the industry's primary aluminium production capacity has declined considerably. Just one operational primary smelter remains in the United Kingdom, located in Lochaber, Scotland. Volatile metal prices, rising energy costs and lacklustre demand from downstream markets have buffeted aluminium producers. Over the five years through 2022-23, industry revenue is projected to contract at a compound annual rate of 0.1% to over £1.8 billion.

Stringent emissions regulations have driven several firms operating in energy-intensive industries, such as the Aluminium... Learn More

9. Animal Feed Production in the UK

Growth in Imports for 2023: 33.4%

The Animal Feed Production industry is an essential producer of feed for farm animals, including concentrated animal feed, feed supplements and unmixed feeds. Animal feed comes in various forms, from raw grains to compound animal feed that offers particular nutritional benefits to maintain the animal's health and enhance the quality of the end product. Cereals account for approximately half of the production inputs, while oil cake accounts for nearly one-quarter. A combination of minerals, protein concentrates and other food production by-products accounts for the remaining share.

Over the five years through 2023-24, the animal feed production industry is expected to creep... Learn More

10. Glue & Adhesives Manufacturing in the UK

Growth in Imports for 2023: 29.8%

Synthetic glues are well-established products that generate most of the Glue and Adhesives Manufacturing industry's revenue. There's now an enormous range of specialised adhesive formulas, as many downstream manufacturers have moved away from traditional joining processes like welding towards structural adhesive bonding. Adhesive solutions are also being used more commonly in other fields, like medicine.

Over the five years through 2022-23, industry revenue is forecast to inch upwards at a compound annual rate of 0.4% to £611.3 million. The industry recorded massive falls in revenue in 2016-17 and 2017-18 following the EU referendum – the economic uncertainty that followed the vote... Learn More