Manufacturing has consolidated its position as the UK’s leading export engine, with new analysis showing it tops all industries for the share of firms trading internationally.
According to money.co.uk’s review of official data, roughly 28,100 UK manufacturers—around 21.9% of the sector—export overseas, outpacing information and communication, professional services, and other industries.
The sector’s global strength spans machinery, vehicles, pharmaceuticals and food, and it has held firm despite supply chain disruption and tariff headwinds. Over the past decade, the value of UK goods exports has surged from £59.5bn in Q1 2015 to £304.2bn in 2025, underscoring manufacturers’ resilience and capacity to capture demand in shifting markets.
Geographically, London retains the highest concentration of exporting businesses, but manufacturing hot spots across the South East and East of England—supported by ports, logistics hubs and research clusters—continue to underpin Britain’s goods footprint abroad.
The United States remains the UK’s top destination for goods by value, followed by Germany and the Netherlands—markets where British manufacturers retain strong positions in vehicles, pharmaceuticals and high-value machinery. While evolving trade rules add complexity, exporters are diversifying routes and partners to maintain momentum.
Commenting on conditions facing exporters, money.co.uk notes that firms are balancing longer payment cycles, duties and currency swings—pressures that make cash-flow tools and flexible financing increasingly important as manufacturers scale into new markets.
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