Biggest Importing Industries in the UK in 2021

1. Precious Metals Production in the UK

Imports for 2020: $83.0B

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. Motor Vehicle Manufacturing in the UK

Imports for 2020: $33.1B

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, especially in the current year due to the disruption caused by the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak. Consumer confidence was dented by economic... Learn More

3. Aircraft, Engine & Parts Manufacturing in the UK

Imports for 2020: $22.8B

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 over the past five years was supported by rising demand for new fuel-efficient aircraft that make use of composite materials. A significant backlog of orders supported deliveries over the past five years. Overall, industry revenue is expected to increase at a compound annual rate of 1.1% to reach... Learn More

4. Petroleum Refining in the UK

Imports for 2020: $18.8B

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

5. Clothing Manufacturing in the UK

Imports for 2020: $18.4B

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

6. Pharmaceutical Preparations Manufacturing in the UK

Imports for 2020: $16.9B

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 globalisation of the pharmaceutical sector.

Before the start of the five-year period through 2020-21, operators were threatened by... Learn More

7. Crude Petroleum & Natural Gas Extraction in the UK

Imports for 2020: $15.4B

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

8. Communication Equipment Manufacturing in the UK

Imports for 2020: $15.4B

The world is increasingly connected. People communicate through a host of devices and services such as smartphones and computers. Connections are made via radio, TV, infrastructure and smart devices such as alarm systems, which are now often connected directly to the authorities. Communications equipment is used to establish these connections, and the manufacturing of such equipment has become an increasingly important part of the global manufacturing sector. UK firms specialise in the production of high-value products, competing on quality, rather than on price, with international manufacturers. Despite high global demand, the industry is in long-term decline in the United Kingdom,... Learn More

9. Computer & Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing in the UK

Imports for 2020: $14.2B

The Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing industry is highly competitive, which is displayed by low selling prices and tight profit margins. Demand for industry products has been promoted by cheap prices and the release of new and enhanced products, computer software and applications. However, computer and peripheral equipment manufacturing activity has largely shifted to countries that have access to low-cost labour and more efficient supply chains. The number of firms operating in the UK industry has consequently fallen over the past five years.

Industry revenue is forecast to contract at a compound annual rate of 3.2% over the five years through... Learn More

10. Motor Vehicle Parts & Accessories Manufacturing in the UK

Imports for 2020: $11.8B

The Motor Vehicle Parts and Accessories Manufacturing industry's revenue expanded for much of the past five years. The industry benefited from aftermarket demand as the number and age of vehicles on UK roads rose. However, falling car production hindered revenue growth despite a resilient aftermarket. Revenue is expected to be hit in the current year by the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak. First identified in China, the virus has spread globally, disrupting supply chains. The government implemented measures aimed at stemming infections, which forced UK manufacturing plants to close in March 2020. Most car manufacturers and retailers also halted operations, sharply decreasing... Learn More