Fastest Growing Industries by Imports in Australia in 2026

• 1. Copper Ore Mining in Australia

  Growth in Imports for 2026: 193.5%

  Resilient global pricing, robust Chinese demand, especially from the country's renewable energy and manufacturing sectors, and a multi-year uplift in exploration spending have all fuelled revenue growth for the Copper Ore Mining industry. While output remains below mid-2010s records, new mine developments and project recommissioning are gradually supporting a recovery in production. BHP's expanding Copper South Australia operations, buoyed by the recent integration of OZ Minerals, alongside n...

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• 2. 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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• 3. 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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• 4. Beer Manufacturing in Australia

  Growth in Imports for 2026: 22.1%

  Despite declining per capita beer consumption, the Beer Manufacturing industry's revenue has grown over the past five years, thanks to rises in selling prices and consumers' growing preference for higher-priced craft and premium beers. Drinkers are shifting away from traditional full-strength beers, opting instead for craft beers offering perceived quality and unique drinking experiences. This has increased demand for the products of smaller, independent breweries, pushing down market share c...

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• 5. Sheep Farming in Australia

  Growth in Imports for 2026: 18.2%

  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 Chinese market 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 0.7% over the five years through 2025-26, to $3.3 billion. This includes an anti...

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• 6. Aluminium Smelting in Australia

  Growth in Imports for 2026: 15.5%

  Australia is one of the largest producers of aluminium in the world, owing to its ample bauxite reserves and integrated supply chain. The Aluminium Smelting industry is moderately concentrated, with only four aluminium smelters across the country, owned mainly by Rio Tinto and Alcoa. Both major companies are vertically integrated, operating across the aluminium value chain, from bauxite mining and alumina refining to aluminium smelting. The industry’s revenue generation depends on exports, wh...

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• 7. 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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• 8. Plaster Product Manufacturing in Australia

  Growth in Imports for 2026: 11.9%

  The Plaster Product Manufacturing industry generates the bulk of its revenue from selling plasterboard, compounds and cornices to construct single-unit houses and renovate homes. While multi-unit apartments and townhouses require less plaster per dwelling than detached homes, the large scale of apartment complex developments also creates ample demand for plaster products. The industry generates additional revenue from the non-residential building market, particularly from work on commercial a...

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• 9. Ready-Mixed Concrete Manufacturing in Australia

  Growth in Imports for 2026: 11.8%

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

  Industry revenue has fallen at an annualised 0.6% over the five years...

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• 10. 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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