Fastest Growing Industries by Imports in the US in 2024

1. Fire Truck Manufacturing in the US

Growth in Imports for 2024: 65.8%

The Fire Truck Manufacturing industry largely depends on government funding. Over the past five years, local and state government funding has decreased, reducing manufacturers' spending on new firefighting vehicles. However, federal funding for homeland security has grown, contributing to increased funding for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program. The AFG program assists fire departments in acquiring new vehicles and outfitting departments with safety equipment, which has grown to $370.0 million in 2023, up from $350.0 million in 2018. Over the five years to 2023, revenue has fallen at a CAGR of 6.0% to $2.2 billion, including an expected 2.1%... Learn More

2. Golf Cart Manufacturing in the US

Growth in Imports for 2024: 56.3%

Golf cart manufacturers have been enduring high volatility over the past five years. Although the standard golf cart has emerged as a convenient method of transportation for security personnel, retirement communities, families and other businesses and organizations, the primary market for golf carts remains the Golf Courses and Country Clubs industry (IBISWorld report 71391). While the COVID-19 pandemic sparked consumer interest in golf, health and safety regulations prevented manufacturers from fully capitalizing on evolving consumer tastes. Instead, inexpensive imports filled gaps in demand. Over the past five years, industry revenue has been falling at a CAGR of 5.4% and is... Learn More

3. Hybrid & Electric Vehicle Manufacturing in the US

Growth in Imports for 2024: 39.4%

The Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Manufacturing industry has boomed as the use of renewable energy sources surged in popularity. Hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) and electric vehicles (EV), including plug-in electric vehicles (PEV) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV), have seen a dramatic rise in sales amid elevated oil and gas prices. With concerns about the environment, new entrants continue to flood in looking to establish market share. New government incentives and infrastructure funding have increased the accessibility of electric and hybrid vehicles domestically. Industry-wide revenue has increased at an annualized 29.6% to $88.8 billion over the past five years, including... Learn More

4. Industrial Chocolate Production in the US

Growth in Imports for 2024: 34.0%

The Industrial Chocolate Production industry has experienced growth, despite volatility from fluctuating cocoa prices and challenges introduced by the COVID-19 pandemic. The industry's production, which includes processed cocoa beans to manufacture cocoa products, including cocoa powder, liquor and butter, is largely destined for chocolate confectionery producers, although bakers and dairy beverage producers also buy cocoa products to infuse into their foods. In recent years, fluctuations in cocoa prices have been offset by improving disposable incomes and greater demand for premium chocolate goods. Despite an added emphasis on health consciousness by American consumers and challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic that... Learn More

5. Major Smart Appliance Manufacturing in the US

Growth in Imports for 2024: 31.2%

Major smart appliance manufacturers build smart household cooking appliances, refrigerators and laundry equipment. Revenue for the industry has surged during the current period because major smart appliances have become less expensive and more accessible to consumers, enabling manufacturers to sell to most households for the first time. Rising incomes during much of the current period also benefited the industry, as more money enabled consumers to purchase luxuries, such as major smart appliances. High input prices provided new revenue streams for manufacturers during the recovery from COVID-19, as companies passed on high costs to consumers. Interest rates have soared in recent... Learn More

6. Pet Food Production in the US

Growth in Imports for 2024: 28.4%

The Pet Food Production industry has fared well over the past five years. An increase in pet ownership has coincided with a growing tendency to treat pets as members of the family, thereby encouraging the purchase of higher-priced, premium pet food products that are marketed with special benefits, formulas or ingredients. In 2020, the industry benefited extraordinarily from the increase in pet ownership stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, as many individuals and families spent more time at home. As a result, industry revenue is expected to grow at an average annual rate of 0.8% to $30.1 billion over the five... Learn More

7. Ship Building in the US

Growth in Imports for 2024: 25.0%

Shipbuilders design, build and repair ships and other vessels for military and commercial clients. Long project lead times, primarily for defense contracts, have led to a consistent flow of revenue, keeping shipyards busy with work. Defense budgets are set in advance and have increased yearly because of rising geopolitical tensions.

Shipbuilders are protected from foreign competition through protectionist policies like the Jones Act, which prohibits using foreign-built vessels on routes between US ports. While some military shipbuilders receive contracts from foreign countries, commercial shipbuilding is mainly domestic. An increase in US oil and gas production throughout the period has provided a... Learn More

8. Aircraft, Engine & Parts Manufacturing in the US

Growth in Imports for 2024: 24.7%

Airplane, engine and parts manufacturers develop and produce planes, rotorcraft, engines and related components for the civil and defense markets. Despite COVID-19 collapsing demand for air travel and new airplanes, newfound growth followed and a surge of air transit led to strong revenue growth, with revenue increasing at a CAGR of 3.7% to $323.1 billion over the five years to 2023, including a 7.8% increase in 2023 alone.

Strong demand dynamics have supported large commercial aircraft production and related components. Growing emerging markets have led to increased global air travel and encouraged airlines to upgrade their aircraft fleets. Fuel-efficient aircraft becoming... Learn More

9. Kombucha Production in the US

Growth in Imports for 2024: 24.6%

The industry is currently experiencing remarkable growth and success. With increasing consumer awareness and demand for healthier beverage alternatives, kombucha has emerged as a popular choice for health-conscious individuals. The industry has witnessed significant market expansion, with a wide range of flavors and varieties now available to consumers. Kombucha producers have tapped into consumer preferences by experimenting with different fruits, herbs, spices and unique ingredients, creating a diverse and appealing product portfolio. Overall, industry revenue has increased at a CAGR of 5.7% to $1.3 billion while entering 2023, including an increase of 0.8% in 2023 alone.

This growth can be attributed... Learn More

10. Rendering & Meat Byproduct Processing in the US

Growth in Imports for 2024: 21.7%

Meat byproduct renderers have benefited from surging prices for key inputs driven by crop shortages. Supply chain issues and heightened demand amid rising production in the post-pandemic years made the price of feed expensive, which in turn boosted the price of meat products. Renderers have upped their prices to pass these increases downstream, which lifted profit. Imports skyrocketed during the same period, but strong demand kept the industry on an upward trajectory. Industry-wide revenue has been growing at a CAGR of 5.6% to $7.3 billion over the five years to 2023, including an estimated 6.5% decline in 2023 alone.

The industry... Learn More