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: $25.6B

The Motor Vehicle Manufacturing industry has had mixed fortunes over the past five years. At the beginning of the period, strong 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 output down 4% in October 2019, compared with the same month in 2018. Consumer confidence was dented by economic uncertainty following the EU... 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. Crude Petroleum & Natural Gas Extraction in the UK

Exports for 2020: $13.7B

Oil and gas production in the United Kingdom has declined since its peak in the late 1990s 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... Learn More

6. Petroleum Refining in the UK

Exports for 2020: $11.6B

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 throughout the first half of the five years through 2019-20 before rising substantially in 2017 and 2018. Crude oil prices are set to fall slightly in 2019. Some refineries have closed over the past five years, while others have aimed to find markets for their excess... 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. Clothing Manufacturing in the UK

Exports for 2020: $6.9B

The past five years have been a period of revival and growth for the Clothing Manufacturing industry. The industry has been supported by programmes directed at boosting the innovative capacity of the wider textiles manufacturing sector. This has included a series of grants and training programmes to enhance skills training under the Alliance Project, established in 2012, and the establishment of the Made in Britain accreditation in 2013. Additionally, the association of many industry participants with luxury has allowed them to make gains, particularly in emerging markets where incomes are rising.

A largely improving economy and growth in real household disposable... Learn More

9. Organic Basic Chemical Manufacturing in the UK

Exports for 2020: $6.6B

The Organic Basic Chemical Manufacturing industry plays an important role in the chemical sector. Operators convert petrochemical feedstocks into basic organic chemicals such as olefins. Many of the products manufactured by the industry are the fundamental building blocks in a variety of consumer and industrial products. Industry revenue fell significantly in response to the financial crisis and more than halved in the space of two years between 2007-08 and 2009-10. Consequently, the industry is significantly smaller than it was prior to the recession. Additionally, greater production capacity in countries with low-cost manufacturing has made it difficult for operators to regain... Learn More

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

Exports for 2020: $6.1B

Businesses in the Measuring, Testing and Navigational Equipment Manufacturing industry rely heavily on innovation for their survival and success. The 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.In the current year, industry revenue is expected to grow by 2.1% to reach approximately £12.5 billion. The industry has benefited from increased revenue stability over the past five years, despite a decline... Learn More