Fastest Growing Industries by Imports in the UK in 2025

1. Non-Alcoholic Beer Production in the UK

Growth in Imports for 2025: 33.5%

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

2. Malt Manufacturing in the UK

Growth in Imports for 2025: 21.1%

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

3. Electronic Component Manufacturing in the UK

Growth in Imports for 2025: 17.3%

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. Wine Production in the UK

Growth in Imports for 2025: 12.5%

The number of acres planted with UK grapevines has more than doubled over the past 10 years, according to trade association Wine GB, supporting industry performance. Strengthening domestic and international interest in British wine backed by major international awards for UK-produced wines is driving industry growth.

Trading restrictions on the hospitality sector amid the COVID-19 outbreak took a toll on on-trade demand during the height of the pandemic, removing a big chuck of revenue for UK wine producers. Nevertheless, industry revenue is growing at a projected compound annual rate of 8.4% over the five years through 2023-24 to approximately £415.2 million,... Learn More

5. Sawmilling & Wood Planing in the UK

Growth in Imports for 2025: 12.0%

Demand for wood products is heavily dependent on the level of construction activity. Industry revenue has grown during the five years, due to a surge in timber prices in 2021. Technological advances, new products and new revenue streams also supported industry growth. However, the industry has been challenged by high levels of import competition, as well as competition from substitute products. Revenue is expected to rise at a compound annual rate of 7.3% over the five years through 2022-23, to £2.6 billion.

The industry suffered a major decline in 2020-21, as the COVID-19 pandemic had a devasting effect on many of... Learn More

6. Vodka Distilleries in the UK

Growth in Imports for 2025: 11.8%

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. Concrete Construction Product Manufacturing in the UK

Growth in Imports for 2025: 11.4%

Strong government spending has fostered growth in residential and infrastructure markets, maintaining demand for concrete products. These policies include the Help to Buy scheme, which supports first-time buyers, and the £650 billion National Infrastructure and Construction Pipeline. The commercial markets have proved less successful, hampered by Brexit-induced scepticism. COVID-19 further compounded uncertainty from businesses, deterring them from undergoing investment projects during 2020. Concrete manufacturers were also forced to halt operations during lockdowns, dramatically cutting production volumes. Nonetheless, industry-wide revenue is projected to grow at a compound annual rate of 2.6% over the five years through 2022-23, including an anticipated growth... Learn More

8. Railway Equipment Manufacturing in the UK

Growth in Imports for 2025: 10.3%

Rolling stock manufacturers rely heavily on long-term rolling stock replacement contracts. These contracts have long lead times and involve periodic payments throughout the manufacturing process, followed by a balloon payment when the project reaches completion, creating a high level of revenue and profit volatility. The industry's performance is heavily dependent on the performance of Alstom Transport and Hitachi Rail, with both companies holding 55.3% of market share. Revenue is forecast to drop at a compound annual rate of 8.1% over the five years through 2023-24 to £2 billion, including an expansion of 0.5% in 2023-24.

In 2020-21, revenue dropped fell by... Learn More

9. Cement Manufacturing in the UK

Growth in Imports for 2025: 9.2%

The Cement Manufacturing industry produces various types of cement, which are supplied to downstream construction markets. This means demand is influenced by activity in residential, commercial and infrastructure construction markets, which typically run pro-cyclical to the wider economy. A small number of major global construction material manufacturers dominate the Cement Manufacturing industry.

Revenue is expected to decline at a compound annual rate of 2.5% over the five years through 2022-23 to £874.4 million, including growth of 0.2% in 2022-23. Economic uncertainty following Brexit hammered downstream construction markets and hit revenue for cement manufacturers. Although robust policy support and strong residential and... Learn More

10. Gin Production in the UK

Growth in Imports for 2025: 9.1%

The UK's gin boom has spurred exceptional growth in gin production revenue in recent years, with an influx of craft distillers capitalising on a resurgence in the popularity of gin among consumers prior to the pandemic. Consumers were attracted by the healthier perception of gin compared with some other alcoholic drinks, as well as several new flavours and premium brands hitting shelves. The UK's strong reputation for gin production has ensured strong export demand in recent years, bolstered by favourable exchange-rate fluctuations in the aftermath of the Brexit-vote.

Gin Production revenue is forecast to contract at a compound annual rate of... Learn More