Industries with Biggest Decline in Exports in United Kingdom in 2026

• 1. Other Electronic Wire & Cable Manufacturing in the UK

  Decline in Exports for 2026: -100.0%

  Over the five years through 2025-26, the UK wire and cable manufacturing industry is expected to decline at a compound annual rate of 1.9%. Revenue in 2025-26 is projected to decrease slightly by 1% to £1.9 billion. This contraction in revenue can be attributed to the significant challenges faced by the industry due to escalating raw material costs, particularly aluminium and copper prices and increasing competition from cheap imports, primarily from countries with lower production costs like...

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• 2. Electric Lighting Equipment Manufacturing in the UK

  Decline in Exports for 2026: -100.0%

  Over the five years through 2025-26, the UK's lighting industry is expected to see revenue sink at a compound annual rate of 2.7%. Revenue is projected to dip modestly by 0.5% in 2025-26 to reach £1.9 billion. This downturn can be primarily attributed to high competition from cheaper Chinese imports and inflationary pressure from rising material costs, particularly those of copper and semiconductors. Despite these challenges, the industry has maintained a commendable profit share of 11.0% in ...

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• 3. Railway Equipment Manufacturing in the UK

  Decline in Exports for 2026: -100.0%

  Over the five years through 2025-26, the railway equipment manufacturing industry's revenue is expected to decline at a compound annual rate of 3%. However, in 2025-26, revenue is projected to rebound by 20.4% to £2.2 billion. This recovery is largely driven by the resurgence in rail passenger numbers and the demand for new and upgraded rolling stock to meet the needs of evolving travel patterns. The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) reported a 16% climb in rail passenger numbers from 2022-23 to ...

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• 4. Off-Road Vehicle Manufacturing in the UK

  Decline in Exports for 2026: -100.0%

  Over the five years through 2025-26, the UK off-road vehicle manufacturing industry's revenue is expected to rise at a compound annual rate of 3.7%. Revenue is projected to gain by 5.5% in 2025-26 to £22.3 billion, underpinned by a decisive consumer shift towards SUVs and crossovers in the domestic market and strong demand for premium British-built models in North America, where rising household wealth has lifted spending on high-value vehicles from manufacturers such as Jaguar Land Rover (JL...

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• 5. Compressor Manufacturing in the UK

  Decline in Exports for 2026: -42.6%

  The Compressor Manufacturing industry has faced a challenging operating environment in recent years, as high energy costs, weak industrial output and strong import competition constrained demand and profitability. Electricity prices are particularly important for this industry because compressors require a lot of energy to manufacture and test. The ONS reported that UK industrial electricity prices were 46% higher than the International Energy Agency median in 2023, weakening the cost competi...

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• 6. Butter & Cheese Production in the UK

  Decline in Exports for 2026: -16.1%

  Over the five years through 2025-26, butter and cheese production revenue is expected to grow at a compound annual rate of 1.3%, reaching £3.7 billion. While inflation, energy price spikes and supply chain disruptions have presented challenges, domestic demand for everyday dairy has held firm. Revenue has been further supported by consumers responding well to health-focused and functional products. Supermarkets remain the key sales channel, offering and steady stream of sales. Profitability h...

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• 7. Consumer Electronics Manufacturing in the UK

  Decline in Exports for 2026: -13.4%

  The Consumer Electronics Manufacturing industry has struggled over the years because of plummeting consumer confidence and fierce international competition. This industry operates globally, fulfilling most domestic demands through imports. Manufacturers outside the UK often operate from low-cost countries, gaining the upper hand in economies of scale and selling their products at competitive prices. The UK industry has focused heavily on research and development and automation to keep pace wi...

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• 8. Juice Production in the UK

  Decline in Exports for 2026: -9.2%

  The Juice Production industry is expected to see revenue contract at a compound annual rate of 2.3% to £550.4 million over the five years through 2025-26. Falling real disposable incomes, driven by headwinds like high inflation, have weighed on consumer spending on juices, which are luxury goods, with many pivoting to cheaper products or stopping purchases, depressing revenue. Producers are contending with businesses like restaurants, cafes and bars in the hospitality sector trading down thei...

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• 9. Cereals, Leguminous Crops & Oilseed Growing in the UK

  Decline in Exports for 2026: -8.7%

  Cereals, leguminous crops and oilseed are used mainly by the food and beverage industry, livestock feed producers and manufacturers of biofuel. However, industry revenue moves more closely in line with harvest yields, grain quality, and global market prices than with domestic demand. Over the five years through 2025-26, growers’ revenue is expected to dip at a compound annual rate of 0.2% to reach just under £3.5 billion. This is the result of extremely wet weather slashing yields and crop qu...

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• 10. Potato Crisp & Snack Manufacturing in the UK

  Decline in Exports for 2026: -8.7%

  The Potato Crisps and Snacks Production industry has been performing well in recent years, with potato product makers adapting effectively to new consumer tastes, supporting higher sales. Premium crisps have been growing in popularity – brands like Kettle Foods and Tyrrells have benefitted the most from this. However, potato product makers have also faced growing competition from healthier snack alternatives, such as savoury biscuits and alternative crisp products, as many potato products are...

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