Fastest Growing Industries by Imports in the UK in 2023

1. Sanitary Product Manufacturing in the UK

Growth in Imports for 2023: 61.6%

The Sanitary Product Manufacturing industry is challenged by companies restructuring their operations and moving production overseas to take advantage of lower production costs. Stronger brands face competition from low-cost alternatives and higher input costs, putting pressure on prices and squeezing profitability. Despite a temporary surge in sales toilet paper, tissues and other personal-care items when COVID-19 hit (UK consumers stockpiled goods as they feared shortages), revenue dipped in 2020-21, with lockdown measures cutting into demand from businesses. Industry revenue will fall at a compound annual rate of 1.6% over the five years through 2022-23 to £2.7 billion, including a 3.5%... Learn More

2. Petroleum Refining in the UK

Growth in Imports for 2023: 45.0%

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 have been negatively affected by declining demand for petrol, as this led to oversupply. Some industry operators have closed refineries over the past five years, while others have aimed to find new markets for their excess petrol. A number of operators have altered their production to focus on diesel as the new primary fuel. Diesel is more fuel efficient than petrol and until recently was considered... Learn More

3. Non-Alcoholic Beer Production in the UK

Growth in Imports for 2023: 38.7%

Per-capita alcohol consumption, income, price, health consciousness and consumer preferences drive non-alcoholic beer producers' performance. Over the five years through 2022-23, revenue is set to grow at a compound annual rate of 30% to £807.6 million, including growth of 34.2% in 2022-23, with the average industry profit margin hitting 19.7%.

Shrinking alcohol consumption per capita alongside growing health consciousness is paving the way for industry growth. Popular craft beer producers are rapidly introducing no-alcohol and sustainable beer varieties, driving growth in the non-alcoholic beer industry. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many consumers stuck at home cut out booze, dabbing into non-alcoholic beer... Learn More

4. Seafood Processing in the UK

Growth in Imports for 2023: 35.9%

The Seafood Processing industry's revenue is forecast to decrease at a compound annual rate of 0.5% over the five years through 2022-23 to £3.5 billion. The COVID-19 pandemic hampered revenue growth, while a rise in exports and increased selling prices acted as a counterbalance. Domestic demand conditions have been bleak, as the rising cost-of-living increased inflationary pressures and higher selling prices made seafood products less affordable. Despite this, increasing awareness of the health benefits of consuming seafood pushed back against severe market pressures. Fish catch volumes have declined because of rising costs for fishermen and quotas that constrained the supply... Learn More

5. Aluminium Production in the UK

Growth in Imports for 2023: 35.7%

Operators in the Aluminium Production industry produce aluminium through smelting and recycling scrap metals. They also handle basic aluminium processing. Over the past decade, the industry's primary aluminium production capacity has declined considerably. Just one operational primary smelter remains in the United Kingdom, located in Lochaber, Scotland. Volatile metal prices, rising energy costs and lacklustre demand from downstream markets have buffeted aluminium producers. Over the five years through 2022-23, industry revenue is projected to contract at a compound annual rate of 0.1% to over £1.8 billion.

Stringent emissions regulations have driven several firms operating in energy-intensive industries, such as the Aluminium... Learn More

6. Animal Feed Production in the UK

Growth in Imports for 2023: 33.4%

The Animal Feed Production industry prepares feeds for farm animals, including concentrated animal feed and feed supplements and unmixed feeds. Animal feed comes in a variety of forms, from raw grains to compound feeds that offer particular nutritional benefits to maintain the health of the animal and enhance the quality of the end product. Cereals account for approximately half of production inputs, while oil cake accounts for nearly one-quarter. The remaining share is accounted for by a combination of minerals, protein concentrates and other food production by-products.

Over the five years through 2022-23, industry revenue is expected to rise at a... Learn More

7. Glue & Adhesives Manufacturing in the UK

Growth in Imports for 2023: 29.8%

Synthetic glues are well-established products that generate most of the Glue and Adhesives Manufacturing industry's revenue. There's now an enormous range of specialised adhesive formulas, as many downstream manufacturers have moved away from traditional joining processes like welding towards structural adhesive bonding. Adhesive solutions are also being used more commonly in other fields, like medicine.

Over the five years through 2022-23, industry revenue is forecast to inch upwards at a compound annual rate of 0.4% to £611.3 million. The industry recorded massive falls in revenue in 2016-17 and 2017-18 following the EU referendum – the economic uncertainty that followed the vote... Learn More

8. Other Non-Ferrous Metal Production in the UK

Growth in Imports for 2023: 27.3%

Over the five-year period through 2022-23, the Other Non-Ferrous Metal Production industry's revenue is expected to contract at a compound annual rate of 1.4%. However, this masks a high level of revenue volatility. Fluctuations in nickel and titanium prices, as well as the effects of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic on key downstream markets, have induced a high level of revenue volatility in the industry over the period. The production of nickel and titanium is expected to account for 78.5% of industry revenue in 2022-23.

Growing demand for steel prior to the coronavirus pandemic supported demand for non-ferrous metals, as they are... Learn More

9. Grain Milling in the UK

Growth in Imports for 2023: 19.5%

Grain milling is an advanced, modern industry with highly specialised automated production processes. The industry's revenue performance is determined by several highly variable factors that affect growing conditions, such as climate, pests and grain prices. Wheat, the industry's primary input, is one of the most important agricultural commodities in the world and is used in several staple foods. Although they account for a smaller share of the industry, maize and oats have contributed to the industry's high revenue volatility. Over the five years through 2022-23, industry revenue is forecast to decline at a compound annual rate of 1.3% to £2.1... Learn More

10. Breakfast Cereals & Cereal-Based Foods Production in the UK

Growth in Imports for 2023: 19.5%

Operators in the Breakfast Cereals and Cereal-Based Foods Production industry manufacture breakfast cereal foods and mill rice and vegetables mainly for supermarkets and grocery stores. Changing consumer tastes have weighed on the industry's performance over the past five years. Revenue is expected to fall at a compound annual rate of 1.9% over the five years through 2022-23 to just under £2.3 billion. Health concerns have played a much more substantial role in consumers' food choices, and media scrutiny of the high sugar content of many processed kinds of cereal has reduced demand. Healthier alternatives, such as porridge, muesli and granola,... Learn More