Industries with the Biggest Decline in Imports in United Kingdom in 2026

• 1. Hard Coal Mining in the UK

  Decline in Imports for 2026: -27.6%

  Over the five years through 2024-25, hard coal mining revenue is forecast to sink at a compound annual rate of 39.7% to £11.9 million, including an 83% fall in revenue in 2024-25 due to Merthyr (South Wales) stopping trading as it finished selling its coal reserves in 2023-24. Leaving Energybuild as the only large-scale coal mine in the UK. This follows the long term decline of the industry, caused by falling sales and weak profitability, which slashed the number of UK coal mines in the UK fr...

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• 2. Pharmaceutical Preparations Manufacturing in the UK

  Decline in Imports for 2026: -13.2%

  Pharmaceutical preparations manufacturing revenue is expected to contract at a compound annual rate of 0.7% over the five years through 2025-26 to £24.4 billion. The aftermath of the pandemic has raised demand for medicines as healthcare facilities work through patient backlogs. However, the surging Voluntary Scheme for Branded Medicines Pricing, Access and Growth rate has elevated the proportion of revenue returned to the NHS, constraining revenue. Moreover, global supply chain disruptions, ...

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• 3. Petroleum Refining in the UK

  Decline in Imports for 2026: -8.0%

  Petroleum refining companies in the UK produce a wide variety of products. Fuels for transport and heating are the most common, with petroleum products for transport accounting for almost three-quarters of product demand. Industry revenue is expected to swell at a compound annual rate of 2.6% over the five years through 2024-25 to £50.7 billion, including a forecast dip of 0.2% in 2024-25, owing to staggering volatility in oil prices in recent years.

  The COVID-19 pandemic took its toll...

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• 4. Vodka Distilleries in the UK

  Decline in Imports for 2026: -7.6%

  Alcohol consumption, demand from pubs and bars, disposable income, health consciousness and the exchange rate heavily influence the revenue of vodka distilleries. Competition in the vodka industry is fierce, with many of the most popular brands in the UK being produced internationally. Other spirits also pose strong competition. However, AU Vodka has emerged as the largest UK-produced vodka brand, significantly boosting the industry. Its revenue has increased substantially over the last five ...

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• 5. Soap & Detergent Manufacturing in the UK

  Decline in Imports for 2026: -5.1%

  Growing environmental awareness among Britons is driving UK soap and detergent manufacturers to introduce recyclable packaging and sustainable soaps to the market, with many soap producers bringing increasingly popular bar soaps back to circulation. Revenue is forecast to dip at a compound annual rate of 0.2% over the five years through 2024-25 to £3.7 billion. This is due to weak household soap and detergent sales in 2022-23 and 2023-24 as consumers cut down on spending due to the cost-of-li...

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• 6. Bread & Bakery Goods Production in the UK

  Decline in Imports for 2026: -4.3%

  The Bread and Bakery Goods Production industry has faced fluctuations over the past few years due to evolving consumer tastes, shifting incomes and volatile prices. Over the five years through 2024-25, the industry's revenue is expected to grow at a compound annual rate of 3.2%. The market has been swelled by the growing price of bread and other baked goods as manufacturers have endured mounting ingredient, energy and overhead costs. This meant that revenue was driven up even as incomes dropp...

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• 7. Sugar Production in the UK

  Decline in Imports for 2026: -4.0%

  Over the five years through 2023-24, revenue is expected to climb at a compound annual rate of 3.4% to £1 billion. Volatile global sugar prices have shaped the industry's performance due to supply chain disruption from Ukraine's geo-political conflict and poor weather conditions in farming countries. Some companies have remained resilient despite price volatility and other obstacles like the sugar tax. This is mainly due to producers hoisting their prices and passing them on to consumers.

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• 8. Butter & Cheese Production in the UK

  Decline in Imports for 2026: -3.8%

  Over the five years through 2025-26, butter and cheese production revenue is expected to grow at a compound annual rate of 1.3%, reaching £3.7 billion. While inflation, energy price spikes and supply chain disruptions have presented challenges, domestic demand for everyday dairy has held firm. Revenue has been further supported by consumers responding well to health-focused and functional products. Supermarkets remain the key sales channel, offering and steady stream of sales. Profitability h...

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• 9. Meat Processing in the UK

  Decline in Imports for 2026: -3.6%

  Over the five years through 2024-25, meat processing revenue is forecast to climb at a compound annual rate of 3.7% to £12.1 billion.  Following Brexit's stringent working visa requirement, a labour supply shortage has dampened growth and weakened productivity, as most workers in the Meat Processing industry were from the EU. In 2024-25, revenue is anticipated to climb by 2%. Shrinking incomes and steep food inflation will weigh on meat sales. Processors have been forced to hike selling price...

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• 10. Paper Stationery Manufacturing in the UK

  Decline in Imports for 2026: -3.6%

  Over the five years through 2024-25, the paper stationery manufacturing industry is expected to contract at a compound annual rate of 3.3% to £343.6 million. Manufacturers have faced intense external competition from electronic communication, data transfer and storage applications. Weak economic conditions have coincided with businesses and households reducing spending on stationery products as consumers pick up digital notebooks and email. However, many retailers have reported a climb in lux...

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