Biggest Exporting Industries in the UK in 2020

1. Aircraft, Engine & Parts Manufacturing in the UK

Exports for 2020: $31.5B

The UK Aircraft, Engine and Parts Manufacturing industry is the second largest in the world after that of the United States. It is a major source of investment, research and development, and is particularly renowned for the production and assembly of aircraft wings and the design and manufacture of aircraft engines. Growth has been strong over the past five years due to high demand for new fuel-efficient aircraft that make use of composite materials. A significant backlog of orders has sustained production and aircraft delivery in the industry over the past five years. Overall, industry revenue is projected to rise at a compound... Learn More

2. Precious Metals Production in the UK

Exports for 2020: $30.7B

Industry operators recycle gold, silver and platinum group metals from a range of materials. Sales of platinum group metals are heavily influenced by the performance of the automotive industry as the commodity is used to manufacture catalytic converters. In general, platinum is more prevalent for diesel vehicles and palladium for petrol vehicles, although all catalysts contain a proportion of platinum, palladium and rhodium. Gold and silver are both used to make jewellery and have a variety of industrial uses, but they are also popular with investors, who consider them a safe investment for their wealth. This investment demand means gold and silver... Learn More

3. Motor Vehicle Manufacturing in the UK

Exports for 2020: $20.8B

The Motor Vehicle Manufacturing industry has had mixed fortunes over the past five years. At the start of the period, growth was supported by success in exporting cars to emerging economies and rising new car registrations. These factors were supported by strong consumer confidence, cheap financing deals and rising disposable income, which boosted domestic demand. However, production declined by 3% in 2017, according to data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Production has continued to fall, with exports down by 3.1% in February 2020 when compared with the same month in the previous year. Consumer confidence was... Learn More

4. Pharmaceutical Preparations Manufacturing in the UK

Exports for 2020: $17.4B

Companies in the Pharmaceutical Preparations Manufacturing industry produce medications, chemical contraceptive products, medical diagnostic preparations, radioactive in-vivo diagnostic substances and biotech pharmaceuticals. The United Kingdom is one of the largest pharmaceutical markets in the world, so the industry commands an important position in both the global pharmaceutical market and the UK economy. A large proportion of revenue is derived from export sales, but the value of exports has rapidly declined since 2017-18. There is also a high level of industry imports, showcasing the high globalisation of the pharmaceutical sector.

Revenue fell in 2014-15, the base year of the period, due to... Learn More

5. Petroleum Refining in the UK

Exports for 2020: $11.2B

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 were negatively affected by declining demand for petrol, as this led to oversupply. Simultaneously, crude oil prices have been volatile, falling sharply in 2015 and 2016 before rising substantially in 2017 and 2018. Crude oil prices declined in 2019 and are set to fall significantly in 2020 due to the global COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic reducing demand for oil. Some refineries have closed over the past five... Learn More

6. Crude Petroleum & Natural Gas Extraction in the UK

Exports for 2020: $10.4B

Oil and gas production in the United Kingdom have declined over the past decade as existing fields have matured and it has become increasingly challenging to develop new commercially viable sources. Operators have been able to endure this instability by forming partnerships to pool their resources and make extraction more efficient. The industry ramped up investment prior to the start of the current five-year period, with efforts aimed at softening the blow of declining output. Some operators are expected to reap the benefits of this early investment with a number of new fields coming on stream in the coming years.... Learn More

7. Off-Road Vehicle Manufacturing in the UK

Exports for 2020: $8.9B

The Off-Road Vehicle Manufacturing industry has been mixed over the past five years. An improving economy, rising disposable income and strong export performance boosted output at UK plants which increased revenue at the beginning of the period. A reversal of these trends stemming from the UK's exit from the European Union has halted the performance of the industry. A period of economic uncertainty and lower export demand has forced UK plants to reduce production with some firms temporarily closing down plants. As a result, revenue decreased 2017-18 with this trend expected to continue through the current year. Overall, industry revenue... Learn More

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

Exports for 2020: $8.9B

The Measuring, Testing and Navigational Equipment Manufacturing industry encompasses a wide variety of products, with some product markets dominated by a few global companies. Industry growth is influenced by conditions in downstream markets, including manufacturing, research and development (R&D), and defence and national security. In the United Kingdom, there are several successful companies pioneering world-leading technologies.

Over the five years through 2019-20, the industry is expected to grow at a compound annual rate of 3.8%. During most of the past period, the industry has benefited from increased stability, derived from its broad nature. International trade has continued to play a vital... Learn More

9. Clothing Manufacturing in the UK

Exports for 2020: $6.4B

The industry was off to a strong start at the beginning of the five-year period, supported by government policies aimed at boosting the innovative capacity of the wider textiles manufacturing sector. The emerging BRIC economies have also created a new wave of consumers with new spending power, desiring British-made goods and brands. The resurgence was not solely driven by high-end fashion. Mid-market brands such as Jaeger, have also brought back some of its production to the United Kingdom and department stores such as John Lewis and Debenhams offering Made in UK collections. The boom in popularity of fast-fashion has also... Learn More

10. Spirit Production in the UK

Exports for 2020: $6.0B

Over the past five-year period, operators in the Spirit Production industry have had to contend with volatile exchange rates and changing consumer preferences. Export demand suffered in 2015-16 due to poor economic conditions in Europe and a strong pound. However, despite rising health consciousness which has led to a long-term decline in alcohol consumption, increased demand for whisky and gin has offset any negative effects on industry performance. In addition, the weak pound following the EU referendum in June 2016 has supported demand for premium spirits in overseas markets. Over the five years through 2019-20, industry revenue is expected to grow at a compound... Learn More