Biggest Exporting Industries in United Kingdom in 2026

• 1. Precious Metals Production in the UK

  Exports for 2026: £63.5B

  The Precious Metals Production industry's revenue is forecast to expand at a compound annual rate of 21.5% over the five years through 2024-25 to £396.4 million. Soaring precious metal prices mean that smaller companies have been able to operate with only a handful of staff while still making enough money to keep going. However, as gold and silver are used less in film and digital technology, the amount of precious metals recoverable from scrap has fallen, raising purchasing costs and somewha...

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• 2. Aircraft, Engine & Parts Manufacturing in the UK

  Exports for 2026: £38.1B

  The Aircraft, Engine and Parts Manufacturing industry’s revenue is forecast to dip at a compound annual rate of 2.8% to £39.9 billion over the five years through 2024-25, including an estimated revenue jump of 0.4% in 2024-25. The industry has been swiftly recovering from the pandemic-induced slump in 2020-21. The industry is a major investment, research and development source for global aircraft production. Orders for aircraft and related equipment are typically placed years in advance, mean...

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• 3. Motor Vehicle Manufacturing in the UK

  Exports for 2026: £25.9B

  A lack of investment has pushed the UK Motor Vehicle Manufacturing industry into decline in 2020-21. Engine production is inching downwards as the industry struggles to attract investment due to higher EU production and multinationals seeking to be part of an integrated EU supply chain to reduce costs. The pandemic deepened the industry's troubles – output dropped by 29.3% in 2020, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders – and recovery has been challenging. Motor vehicle p...

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• 4. Pharmaceutical Preparations Manufacturing in the UK

  Exports for 2026: £15.2B

  Pharmaceutical preparations manufacturing revenue is expected to contract at a compound annual rate of 0.7% over the five years through 2025-26 to £24.4 billion. The aftermath of the pandemic has raised demand for medicines as healthcare facilities work through patient backlogs. However, the surging Voluntary Scheme for Branded Medicines Pricing, Access and Growth rate has elevated the proportion of revenue returned to the NHS, constraining revenue. Moreover, global supply chain disruptions, ...

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• 5. Crude Petroleum & Natural Gas Extraction in the UK

  Exports for 2026: £12.6B

  UK oil and natural gas production is on long-term decline as old oil and gas fields in the North Sea mature and near the end of their life cycle. Oil and gas extracting companies reaped the rewards of an upsurge in global prices through 2022-23, leading to sharp revenue growth. However, this quickly turned around in 2023-24, with most major companies’ revenue nosediving along with oil prices as oil and gas from America flooded the market, slightly outpacing demand. Still, revenue is expected ...

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• 6. Petroleum Refining in the UK

  Exports for 2026: £11.9B

  Petroleum refining companies in the UK produce a wide variety of products. Fuels for transport and heating are the most common, with petroleum products for transport consistently accounting for almost three-quarters of product demand, according to DESNZ. Industry revenue is expected to swell at a compound annual rate of 8.8% over the five years through 2025-26 to £44.8 billion, including a forecast dip of 2.2% in 2025-26, owing to staggering volatility in crude petroleum and fuel prices in re...

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• 7. Measuring, Testing & Navigational Equipment Manufacturing in the UK

  Exports for 2026: £9.7B

  Several successful measuring apparatus manufacturers in the UK are pioneering world-leading technologies. The Measuring, Testing, and Navigational Equipment industry's high level of globalisation has provided some revenue opportunities but has left manufacturers vulnerable to exchange rate fluctuations. International trade plays a vital part, with a large proportion of revenue coming from outside the UK.

  Over the five years through 2025-26, revenue is expected to increase at a compound...

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• 8. Off-Road Vehicle Manufacturing in the UK

  Exports for 2026: £9.4B

  Industry revenue is forecast to grow at a compound annual rate of 3.4% to £20.2 billion over the five years through 2025-26, including revenue growth of 4% in 2025-26, where profit will be 8.6%. The pandemic led to a steep drop in revenue as car makers halted production and export orders fell off a cliff. Jaguar Land Rover reported that revenue fell in 2020-21 due to disruptions caused by the pandemic. Manufacturers have had to contend with supply chain issues and semiconductor shortages, rai...

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• 9. Spirit Production in the UK

  Exports for 2026: £6.9B

  As the tide turns against alcohol amid growing health consciousness, spirit sales are waning. Some producers have responded by introducing non-alcoholic versions of their most popular spirits, though this is primarily confined to gin, with whisky unable to follow suit because of complex production methods. Falling alcohol consumption has also fuelled widespread premiumisation in spirits as producers look to capitalise on consumers’ growing preference for quality over quantity. This trend offe...

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• 10. Whisky Production in the UK

  Exports for 2026: £5.5B

  Whisky Production revenue is expected to swell at a compound annual growth rate of 4% over the five years through 2025-26 to £6.7 billion. Much of this growth is attributed to booming post-pandemic demand, as retailers rushed to replenish depleted stocks when lockdown restrictions were lifted, international travel resumed and on-trade sales rebounded. Producers capitalised on growing demand from emerging markets like Taiwan and India to boost export figures, the largest revenue source of the ...

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