Fastest Growing Industries by Exports in United Kingdom in 2026

• 1. Loaded Electronic Board Manufacturing in the UK

  Growth in Exports for 2026: 68.6%

  Loaded electronic boards are the foundation for nearly all electronic products, ranging from consumer electronics like mobile phones and personal computers to sophisticated commercial equipment like data communications devices and computer servers. Although UK manufacturers make up just a small part of the global electronic goods manufacturing industry, UK companies have considerable strengths in electronics design. Because of high domestic labour and production costs, however, final electron...

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• 2. Mattress Manufacturing in the UK

  Growth in Exports for 2026: 26.9%

  Over the five years through 2025-26, industry revenue is projected to climb at a compound annual rate of 2.1% to reach £1 billion, including 1.1% growth in 2025-26. Manufacturers have expanded steadily as customers continue to prioritise comfort, durability and environmental performance when buying new mattresses. Consumers’ willingness to pay for quality has supported profit growth despite higher wages and raw material costs. The National Bed Federation reported that the average mattress pri...

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• 3. Jewellery Manufacturing in the UK

  Growth in Exports for 2026: 26.9%

  Over the five years through 2025-26, industry revenue is projected to rise at a compound annual rate of 2.1% to reach £1 billion. Growth has been modest because rising precious-metal costs have collided with weaker household spending. Gold prices reached record highs, lifting production costs for both bespoke and everyday pieces. The Goldsmiths’ Company reported that hallmarking volumes also fell from 8 million items in 2023 to 7.8 million in 2024, showing that domestic output softened as sho...

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• 4. Non-Alcoholic Beer Production in the UK

  Growth in Exports for 2026: 26.1%

  Non-Alcoholic Beer Production in the UK is experiencing lift-off. Sales of alcohol-free beers are booming as Brits increasingly moderate their drinking, with health and financial pressures driving cutbacks in alcohol consumption. Younger consumers are leading the change, driven by wellness culture and a desire to avoid post-drinking anxiety as health awareness grows. Major brewers have moved quickly to cement their place, rolling out alcohol-free versions of favourites like Stella Artois, Per...

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• 5. Ready-Mixed Concrete Manufacturing in the UK

  Growth in Exports for 2026: 15.9%

  Revenue is forecast to contract at a compound annual rate of 5.4% over the five years through 2025-26 to £3.6 billion. Ready-mixed concrete (RMC) is the principal material input for infrastructure, building foundations and panels cast on-site. Commercial, residential and civil infrastructure construction activity levels that reflect the state of the UK economy directly determine industry performance. The industry offers a variety of products to cater to the diverse needs of downstream clients...

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• 6. Weapon & Ammunition Manufacturing in the UK

  Growth in Exports for 2026: 15.1%

  Weapons and ammunition purchased domestically come from the UK defence sector, split across downstream markets in the RAF, Royal Navy and British Army. International demand from allied militaries is also a primary driver of industry revenue, resulting in rising revenue when geopolitical tensions are high and prompting an increase in global defence spending budgets. The Ministry of Defence has provided £13 billion in military funding to Ukraine since the onset of the war with Russia in Februar...

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• 7. Game & Toy Manufacturing in the UK

  Growth in Exports for 2026: 12.2%

  Over the five years through 2025-26, industry revenue is projected to rise at a compound annual rate of 8.1% to reach £973 million. Growth has been supported by strong branding, licensing deals and the rebound in retail sales. Games Workshop’s Amazon agreement is pushing Warhammer into mainstream entertainment, attracting new audiences, while Hornby has streamlined operations after leaving the stock market in 2025. HTI’s Sambro takeover has created the UK’s largest independent toy company, co...

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• 8. Fruit Growing in the UK

  Growth in Exports for 2026: 11.9%

  The UK Fruit Growing industry produces roughly 700,000 tonnes of fruit per year. The climate of the UK limits fruit varieties so the market is focused on soft fruits, like strawberries and raspberries, and orchard fruits, like apples and pears. The climate is unsuitable for tropical fruits, including bananas and oranges, which means that these are almost all imported to the UK. Soft fruits tend to be the most profitable fruits as they have a much higher price per kg than other fruits. Fruits ...

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• 9. Electricity Distribution & Control Apparatus Manufacturing in the UK

  Growth in Exports for 2026: 11.0%

  The Electricity Distribution and Control Apparatus Manufacturing is an industry whose sales is largely determined by the performance of downstream markets, with its products predominantly used to control the flow of electricity and ensure its safe usage. The industry's revenue has rebounded after suffering sharp declines because of the impact of the pandemic and economic uncertainty following the decision to leave the EU. Significant investment in electricity infrastructure through projects l...

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• 10. Kitchen Furniture Manufacturing in the UK

  Growth in Exports for 2026: 10.4%

  Over the five years through 2025-26, industry revenue is projected to rise at a compound annual rate of 7.1% to reach £4.4 billion. This growth reflects a market that has had to adapt to fewer housing completions, with orders from new-build projects dipping in England and Scotland. As a result, manufacturers have leaned more heavily on the refurbishment market, where smaller upgrades, modular ranges and social housing contracts have provided steadier volumes. It hasn’t been an easy ride. Ener...

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