Fastest Growing Industries by Exports in the UK in 2025

1. Non-Dairy Milk Production in the UK

Growth in Exports for 2025: 50.0%

Non-dairy milk sales are booming. Consumers are living by the health-is-wealth mantra and swapping traditional dairy milk with a high saturated fat content with plant-based alternatives. Plant-based beverages are hailed as more sustainable and appealing to the eco-warrior, using fewer resources (land, water, and energy) and emitting lower greenhouse gases than traditional cow's milk.

As more consumers have switched to non-dairy milk, producers are pouring money into research and development to come up with innovative flavours and ranges. Food processors have latched onto the plant-based trend, introducing vegan cheese, yoghurts, and spreads where non-dairy milk is the main ingredient. Enticed by... Learn More

2. Fruit Growing in the UK

Growth in Exports for 2025: 26.8%

The UK Fruit Growing industry consists of over 6,000 establishments and has produced roughly 700,000 tonnes of fruit per year. Increases in the supply capabilities of domestic growers are limited to certain fruits, as the climate is unsuitable for tropical fruits like bananas and oranges. Soft fruits such as strawberries and raspberries are the most commonly grown in the industry. Orchard fruits, pears, plums and apples, including those used for heating, cooking and cider production, are also widely grown.

Revenue growth has been driven by innovative growing methods, such as the rising use of glasshouses and polytunnels. While adverse weather conditions... Learn More

3. Electronic Component Manufacturing in the UK

Growth in Exports for 2025: 21.5%

Electronic components are ubiquitous in modern life. A vast range of appliances, from computers and mobile phones to TVs and cars, use electronic components. They are present in infrastructure, like traffic lights and alarm systems, and in medical equipment, industrial machinery and solar panels. Although UK companies design a considerable number of new electronic components, the UK industry is not considered to be a global market leader. There has been a tendency to outsource manufacturing away from the UK and, in some cases, to stop physical manufacturing altogether. Instead, there's focus on the production and sale of intellectual property in... Learn More

4. Malt Manufacturing in the UK

Growth in Exports for 2025: 19.0%

Most of the malt produced in the UK is derived from malting barley and is sourced from domestic farmers that are located in the eastern regions of the UK. The UK Malt Manufacturing industry is in decline due to facing some pandemic- and inflation-related turbulence. Growing demand for craft beer and Scotch whisky across the globe is driving demand for malted barley, supporting industry performance.

Industry revenue is falling at a compound annual rate of 2.2% over the five years through 2022-23 to approximately £626.6 million, including a contraction of 1.7% in 2022-23. The temporary closures of the UK hospitality sector... Learn More

5. Non-Alcoholic Beer Production in the UK

Growth in Exports for 2025: 15.4%

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

6. Vodka Distilleries in the UK

Growth in Exports for 2025: 13.6%

Alcohol consumption, demand from pubs and bars, disposable income, health consciousness and the exchange rate heavily influence vodka distilleries revenue. The COVID-19 pandemic led to strict restrictions imposed on the hospitality sector, with sales to the on-trade tumbling as a result. Rising rates of at-home social gatherings led to an uptick in sales to the off-trade, although this wasn't enough to prevent a substantial fall in revenue and profitability in 2020-21. Revenue rebounded in 2021-22 as social distancing restrictions eased and people flocked back to bars and pubs. Demand for premium spirits is driving revenue growth in 2023-24, although it's... Learn More

7. Craft Beer Production in the UK

Growth in Exports for 2025: 13.3%

The UK Craft Beer Production industry is growing despite facing some pandemic- and inflation-related turbulence. The rising number of UK-based beer drinkers looking for more complex IPA and pale ale flavours is boosting the number of new craft breweries entering the industry. Industry revenue is climbing at a projected compound annual rate of 1.5% over the five years through 2023-24 to approximately £1.7 billion, including an estimated growth of 10.2% in 2023-24.

The repeated closures of the hospitality sector removed a big chunk of industry revenue, with many craft beer producers turning to the off-trade sector to offset revenue contractions. On-trade... Learn More

8. Condiments & Seasoning Manufacturing in the UK

Growth in Exports for 2025: 12.4%

Rising health consciousness and a shift away from traditional flavours are holding back sales of condiments and seasoning. However, manufacturers have fought back by innovating to develop new products and flavours, especially more healthier varieties (e.g. with lower salt and sugar contents) and target niche markets (such as with vegan sauces). This has led to a proliferation in flavours from around the world as manufacturers have scrambled to meet widening demands from the UK population as palettes grow more varied.

Over the five years through 2023-24, industry revenue is expected to shrink at a compound annual rate of 3.4% to £2.3... Learn More

9. Weapon & Ammunition Manufacturing in the UK

Growth in Exports for 2025: 12.0%

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

10. Potato Crisps & Snacks Production in the UK

Growth in Exports for 2025: 11.9%

The Potato Crisps and Snacks Production industry has grown in popularity since 2017-18, with potato product makers adapting to new consumer tastes. Premium crisps have been growing in popularity - brands like Kettle Foods and Tyrrells have benefitted most from this, resulting in KP Snacks acquiring Tyrrells in 2018. However, potato product makers have also come under growing competition from healthier snack alternatives, as many potato products are rich in salt and saturated fats. Over the five years through 2023-24, industry revenue is forecast to fall at a compound annual rate of 0.5% to reach £2.6 billion.

Volatile weather conditions and... Learn More