Biggest Exporting Industries in the UK in 2021

1. Precious Metals Production in the UK

Exports for 2021: $28.7B

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 sector, as the commodity is used to manufacture catalytic converters. In general, platinum is more prevalent in diesel vehicles and palladium in 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... Learn More

2. Aircraft, Engine & Parts Manufacturing in the UK

Exports for 2021: $21.7B

The 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 manufacture of aircraft engines. While smaller companies tend only to order aircraft in times of prosperity, major airlines generally renew their fleets according to fixed timelines. Orders for aircraft and aircraft equipment are typically placed years in advance, meaning deliveries continue even in periods of economic uncertainty. The industry is part of a global supply chain for... Learn More

3. Motor Vehicle Manufacturing in the UK

Exports for 2021: $20.2B

The Motor Vehicle Manufacturing industry has declined over the past five years. In 2016-17, the base year of the period, growth was supported by success in exporting cars to emerging economies and rising new car registrations. These factors were supported by cheap financing deals, 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, especially in 2020-21 due to the disruption caused by the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak. Industry revenue is anticipated to fall at a compound annual rate of 8.5% over the... Learn More

4. Pharmaceutical Preparations Manufacturing in the UK

Exports for 2021: $16.7B

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 declined since 2018-19.

Industry revenue is expected to grow at a compound annual rate of 3.8% over the five years through 2021-22, including revenue growth of 8.2% in the current year, to reach... Learn More

5. Petroleum Refining in the UK

Exports for 2021: $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, rising substantially in 2017 and 2018 before declining in 2019. Prices dropped significantly in 2020 due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic reducing demand for oil. Some industry operators have closed refineries over the past five years, while others have aimed to find markets for their excess... Learn More

6. Crude Petroleum & Natural Gas Extraction in the UK

Exports for 2021: $9.9B

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 with efforts aimed at boosting output; however, downward pressure on prices has reduced revenue. 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. Industry revenue to decline at... Learn More

7. Off-Road Vehicle Manufacturing in the UK

Exports for 2021: $7.3B

The Off-Road Vehicle Manufacturing industry's revenue is forecast to decline at a compound annual rate of 4.6% over the five years through 2020-21 to £15.2 billion. Economic uncertainty following the UK's decision to leave the European Union constrained export demand and led to a dip in disposable incomes in 2016-17, limiting industry revenue. Ongoing uncertainty, and weak consumer and business confidence, are expected to contribute to year-on-year declines in industry revenue over the four years through 2020-21. Moreover, the threat of supply chain disruption surrounding proposed exit dates have led to some UK firms temporarily closing plants to mitigate issues,... Learn More

8. Jewellery Manufacturing in the UK

Exports for 2021: $6.9B

The Jewellery Manufacturing industry produces traditional and bridal jewellery such as rings, necklaces and bracelets. Costume and jewellery related to fashion is also a major focus for the industry. Smaller market segments include goldsmiths' articles and technical or laboratory articles. The manufacture of imitation jewellery and jewellery repair is not included in this industry. The majority of products are made using pearls, precious and semi-precious stones, and precious metals.

Over the past five years, industry demand has remained robust, influenced by falling unemployment and rising real household disposable income. Despite this, political events have negatively affected consumer confidence, dampening demand for... Learn More

9. Clothing Manufacturing in the UK

Exports for 2021: $5.6B

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 UK and department stores such as John Lewis and Debenhams offering Made in UK collections. The boom in popularity of fast-fashion has also afforded... Learn More

10. Organic Basic Chemical Manufacturing in the UK

Exports for 2021: $5.3B

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. Greater production capacity in countries with low-cost manufacturing has made it difficult for operators to regain lost ground over the past five years. Industry revenue trends generally follow the movements of key feedstock prices, namely the global price of Brent crude oil and natural gas.

Industry revenue is expected to contract at a compound annual... Learn More