Biggest Importing Industries in the UK in 2020

1. Motor Vehicle Manufacturing in the UK

Imports for 2020: $39.0B

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

2. Aircraft, Engine & Parts Manufacturing in the UK

Imports for 2020: $26.0B

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

3. Precious Metals Production in the UK

Imports for 2020: $25.9B

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

4. Crude Petroleum & Natural Gas Extraction in the UK

Imports for 2020: $21.1B

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

5. Petroleum Refining in the UK

Imports for 2020: $19.9B

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

6. Clothing Manufacturing in the UK

Imports for 2020: $19.8B

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

7. Pharmaceutical Preparations Manufacturing in the UK

Imports for 2020: $16.5B

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

8. Communication Equipment Manufacturing in the UK

Imports for 2020: $15.5B

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.Despite high global demand, the industry is in long-term decline in the United Kingdom, as cost pressures have forced manufacturers to relocate offshore. Nonetheless, over the entire five-year period through 2019-20, revenue is expected... Learn More

9. Motor Vehicle Parts & Accessories Manufacturing in the UK

Imports for 2020: $14.9B

The industry has grown over the past five years. This is partly due to the wider availability of cheap car finance deals, which directly supported demand from manufacturers as consumers were able to buy more vehicles. This also boosted demand for essential parts from the automotive aftermarket, as car usage increased. Demand from motor vehicle manufacturers that export to North America and to several emerging markets has also grown significantly over the past five years. Although domestic car production volumes have fallen in recent years, a resilient aftermarket and strong export demand has supported the industry. Over the five years... Learn More

10. Computer & Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing in the UK

Imports for 2020: $13.9B

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. The industry is expected to generate revenue of £1.11 billion in 2019-20, down by 2.8% on the previous year.Industry revenue is... Learn More