Fastest Growing Industries by Imports in the US in 2024

1. Major Smart Appliance Manufacturing in the US

Growth in Imports for 2024: 31.2%

Major smart appliance manufacturers build smart household cooking appliances, refrigerators and laundry equipment. Revenue for the industry has surged during the current period because major smart appliances have become less expensive and more accessible to consumers, enabling manufacturers to sell to most households for the first time. Rising incomes during much of the current period also benefited the industry, as more money enabled consumers to purchase luxuries, such as major smart appliances. High input prices provided new revenue streams for manufacturers during the recovery from COVID-19, as companies passed on high costs to consumers. Interest rates have soared in recent... Learn More

2. Fruit & Nut Farming in the US

Growth in Imports for 2024: 29.2%

The industry produces a variety of non-citrus fruits and tree nuts for sale to fresh, processing and export markets. Although this industry has benefited from increased demand from wineries and exports, downward pressure due to supply chain disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia's invasion of Ukraine has had greater impact on revenue growth. Industry revenue has fallen at a CAGR of 4.8% to $22.6 billion over the last five years as a result, including a 9.4% decline in 2023 alone.

Supply chain interruptions have not only increased the cost of producing fruit and nuts, but also the prices consumers... Learn More

3. Aircraft, Engine & Parts Manufacturing in the US

Growth in Imports for 2024: 24.7%

Airplane, engine and parts manufacturers develop and produce planes, rotorcraft, engines and related components for the civil and defense markets. Despite COVID-19 collapsing demand for air travel and new airplanes, newfound growth followed and a surge of air transit led to strong revenue growth, with revenue increasing at a CAGR of 3.7% to $323.1 billion over the five years to 2023, including a 7.8% increase in 2023 alone.

Strong demand dynamics have supported large commercial aircraft production and related components. Growing emerging markets have led to increased global air travel and encouraged airlines to upgrade their aircraft fleets. Fuel-efficient aircraft becoming... Learn More

4. Kombucha Production in the US

Growth in Imports for 2024: 24.6%

The industry is currently experiencing remarkable growth and success. With increasing consumer awareness and demand for healthier beverage alternatives, kombucha has emerged as a popular choice for health-conscious individuals. The industry has witnessed significant market expansion, with a wide range of flavors and varieties now available to consumers. Kombucha producers have tapped into consumer preferences by experimenting with different fruits, herbs, spices and unique ingredients, creating a diverse and appealing product portfolio. Overall, industry revenue has increased at a CAGR of 5.7% to $1.3 billion while entering 2023, including an increase of 0.8% in 2023 alone.

This growth can be attributed... Learn More

5. Hybrid & Electric Vehicle Manufacturing in the US

Growth in Imports for 2024: 24.4%

The Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Manufacturing industry has boomed as the use of renewable energy sources surged in popularity. Hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) and electric vehicles (EV), including plug-in electric vehicles (PEV) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV), have seen a dramatic rise in sales amid elevated oil and gas prices. With concerns about the environment, new entrants continue to flood in looking to establish market share. New government incentives and infrastructure funding have increased the accessibility of electric and hybrid vehicles domestically. Industry-wide revenue has increased at an annualized 29.6% to $88.8 billion over the past five years, including... Learn More

6. Cotton Farming in the US

Growth in Imports for 2024: 21.3%

The Cotton Farming industry has experienced extremely volatile operating conditions over the past five years. COVID-19 caused states and localities to enact quarantines, reducing consumer spending and demand for products made by textile mills and clothing manufacturers. Since these industries are critical cotton buyers, the pandemic caused industry revenue to decline. Plunging cotton prices worsened the industry's performance, as they reduced the value of sales. Surging commodity prices immediately following the pandemic contributed to a partial resurgence, but they also made substitutes more attractive. Trade wars and an appreciating dollar caused exports to fall. Since exports constitute a significant source... Learn More

7. 3D Printer Manufacturing in the US

Growth in Imports for 2024: 18.4%

The 3D printer manufacturing industry has seen significant growth over the past five years, increasing at a CAGR of 14.6% to $7.7 billion, which includes 19.1% growth in 2023 alone. As prices for 3D printers declined, additive manufacturing has become more attractive to both businesses and consumers. The outbreak of COVID-19, which led to massive supply disruptions, has led the public and the government to consider new applications of 3D printing. The Additive Manufacturing (AM) Forward program, launched by the Biden Administration in 2022, focuses on advancing the development and adoption of 3D printing technologies in the US.

Additive manufacturing has... Learn More

8. Frozen Food Production in the US

Growth in Imports for 2024: 17.8%

Frozen food producers have expanded through the end of 2023 as boosting disposable income has allowed consumers to trade up to newer, healthier and premium varieties of goods that command higher retail prices. With more money to spend, some consumers have opted for fresh produce over frozen varieties, stifling expansion. Mounting health concerns have also led some consumers to purchase fewer frozen foods, which are often perceived as less healthy than fresher meals, despite new studies indicating otherwise. Frozen food producers have responded by introducing products with healthier, more nutritious ingredients. Frozen food producer revenue will climb at a CAGR... Learn More

9. Ship Building in the US

Growth in Imports for 2024: 17.7%

Shipbuilders design, build and repair ships and other vessels for military and commercial clients. Long project lead times, primarily for defense contracts, have led to a consistent flow of revenue, keeping shipyards busy with work. Defense budgets are set in advance and have increased yearly because of rising geopolitical tensions.

Shipbuilders are protected from foreign competition through protectionist policies like the Jones Act, which prohibits using foreign-built vessels on routes between US ports. While some military shipbuilders receive contracts from foreign countries, commercial shipbuilding is mainly domestic. An increase in US oil and gas production throughout the period has provided a... Learn More

10. Wearable Device Manufacturing in the US

Growth in Imports for 2024: 16.0%

The Wearable Device Manufacturing industry produces many smart wearable devices like smartwatches, wristbands, and smart glasses. The industry is in the very early stage of its life cycle, characterized by high research and development expenditures and strong growth in the number of new entrants. However, unlike other growing industries, import penetration has increasingly challenged this industry. To stay competitive, most companies engaged in developing wearable devices offshore or outsource production abroad. Companies that manufacture wearable devices abroad are excluded from this industry. In contrast, manufacturers included in this industry tend to be relatively large domestic companies with extensive economies of... Learn More