Industries with the Biggest Decline in Imports in the UK in 2025

1. Game & Toy Manufacturing in the UK

Decline in Imports for 2025: -23.4%

Game and toy manufacturers have performed resiliently in recent years in the face of rising import penetration and changing consumer tastes. Successful product developments to maintain interest from children and their parents have supported sales. Nevertheless, intense competition from imports has mitigated the effect of growing domestic demand. Revenue is expected to increase at a compound annual rate of 1% over the five years through 2023-24 to reach £796.9 million.

The collapse of major toy retailer Toys “R” Us in 2018 highlights some of the issues toy manufacturers face; competition from imports and video games has limited opportunities. Professional games have... Learn More

2. Hollow Glass Manufacturing in the UK

Decline in Imports for 2025: -17.4%

Hollow glass is used to bottle, store and pack food and beverages sold by downstream retailers and hospitality establishments. This industry also caters to the packing need of cosmetics, perfume and pharmaceutical markets, with other applications included the production of stemware and tableware. Demand for hollow glass products is ultimately determined by levels of private consumption, which is dictated by factors like consumer confidence and disposable income.

Revenue is set to increase at a compound annual rate of 2.2% to reach £1.2 billion over the five years through 2022-23. Operators have capitalised on the war on plastic by offering an alternative... Learn More

3. Weapon & Ammunition Manufacturing in the UK

Decline in Imports for 2025: -15.8%

The lion's share of demand for weapons and ammunition manufactured by UK companies comes from the UK Defence sector and allied militaries. Therefore, domestic and international defence budgets are the primary driver of revenue, typically increasing during geopolitical tension and conflict. Over the five years through 2023-24, weapon and ammunition manufacturers' revenue is forecast to grow at a compound annual rate of 2.1% to reach £3.6 billion, including a projected growth of 3.9% in 2023-24. Between 2011 and 2020, the Middle East was the main export destination for UK arms sales, followed by North America, according to the UK Defence... Learn More

4. Fertiliser & Nitrogen Compound Manufacturing in the UK

Decline in Imports for 2025: -14.5%

Over the five years through 2022-23, the Fertiliser and Nitrogen Compound Manufacturing industry's revenue is set to swell at a compound annual rate of 10.6% to £2.7 billion. The Russian invasion of Ukraine has inflated natural gas prices, a key feedstock in fertiliser production, significantly disrupting operations. High fertiliser prices have forced farmers to adapt by increasing their spreading efficiency, reducing the amount of fertiliser farmers need. Even though output has been slashed, high fertiliser prices have still boosted industry revenue.

Despite soaring natural gas prices eating into profit, manufacturers have begun optimising output to reduce costs, meet lower demand and... Learn More

5. Biscuit Production in the UK

Decline in Imports for 2025: -14.2%

The Biscuit Production industry makes a range of grain-based snack foods. Its main products are bakers' wares, biscuits, savoury snacks and preserved cakes. Demand from supermarkets, grocery wholesalers and bakery retailers is the predominant driver of the industry, which is underpinned by consumer demand. The industry is fairly fragmented, with only three companies holding more than 5% market share. Revenue is expected to decline at a compound annual rate of 1.3% over the five years through 2023-24 to £3.2 billion as the industry has suffered thanks to supermarket pricing pressures, rising competition and changing consumer preferences that caused many consumers... Learn More

6. Recreational Boat & Yacht Building in the UK

Decline in Imports for 2025: -13.7%

The Recreational Boat and Yacht Building industry has registered a mixed performance due to pandemic-related disruptions. The most important market for the industry is high-net-worth individuals, both domestic and international. The weak pound in 2018-19 caused foreign clients to bring forward purchases, bolstering order books. In 2020-21, the COVID-19 outbreak deiminated revenue as production was stopped and orders dried up because of lockdowns. Revenue is projected to fall at a compound annual rate of 0.4% to £1.2 billion over the five years through 2023-24, including growth of 2.3% in 2023-24.

Orders recovered in 2021-22 as global lockdown measures eased. Boat builders... Learn More

7. Grain Milling in the UK

Decline in Imports for 2025: -10.9%

Grain milling is an advanced, modern industry with highly specialised automated production processes. The industry's revenue performance depends on several highly variable factors that impact growing conditions, like climate, pests and grain prices. Wheat, the industry's primary input, is one of the world's most important agricultural commodities and essential for producing several staple foods. Volatile wheat prices have contributed to revenue fluctuations over the past few years. Over the five years through 2023-24, industry revenue is forecast to contract at a compound annual rate of 2.3% to £2.1 billion, including an expected drop of 1.1% in 2023-24, driven by lower... Learn More

8. Lithium Battery Manufacturing in the UK

Decline in Imports for 2025: -10.3%

Lithium battery manufacturing is ramping up in the UK following substantial support from government-backed R&D investment. Manufacturers are increasingly focused on producing high-quality, low-volume batteries – often to spec – for the defence, medical and automotive industries. Business confidence is a key driver of investment in lithium battery manufacturing, which is driven by the state of the economy. Exports are a key source of revenue; the sustained weakness of the pound has made UK-manufactured batteries more competitively priced, helping to raise export levels. Over the five years through 2023-24, lithium battery manufacturers' revenue is forecast to grow at a compound... Learn More

9. Chemical & Fertiliser Mineral Mining in the UK

Decline in Imports for 2025: -8.1%

The Chemical and Fertiliser Mineral Mining industry's revenue has expanded at a compound annual rate of 1.1% over the past five years. The industry's production has shifted considerably as the largest mineral extractor, Cleveland Potash, changed its mine's production from muriate of potash to sulphate of potash (polyhalite) in 2018, causing revenue to fall as the company had to ramp up production. The two other major companies in the industry, Schlumberger Oilfield and Fluorsid British Fluorspar have also shifted production, with Schlumberger opening a new mine and Fluorsid moving mining operations from the western to the eastern portion of its... Learn More

10. Mining, Quarrying & Construction Machinery Manufacturing in the UK

Decline in Imports for 2025: -7.8%

Mining, quarrying and construction equipment manufacturers produce earthmoving equipment, excavators and processing machines. Manufacturers operate in a globalised market because machinery is sent to both domestic and international dealers. Construction activity in Europe influences the industry's performance with over half of UK produced machinery sold to EU countries. Revenue is expected to swell at a compound annual rate of 2.6% to £5.1 billion over the five years through 2022-23. This includes a projected growth of 2.1% in 2022-23.

The industry's success hinges on government funding that fuels the construction industry to build more homes. Fluctuating crude oil prices affect investment... Learn More