UK manufacturers’ sales by product: 2022
The ONS has published its 2022 estimates for UK manufacturers’ sales by product (‘ProdCom’).
Please note that these cover total sales by UK manufacturers, whether for domestic consumption or export, but do not capture consumption of goods imported from abroad. The figures are all in current price terms – in other words, not adjusted for inflation.
Main points
The total value of UK manufacturers’ product sales was £429.8 bn in 2022, an increase of £28.4 bn (7%) from £401.5 bn in 2021.
The manufacture of food remains the largest division and represented 21% of total manufacturers sales in 2022. The division also showed the largest value increase, up by £8.4 bn (11%) in 2022 to £88.4 bn.
The divisions representing the manufacture of basic metals (£7.1 bn) and the manufacture of wearing apparel (£1.4 bn) showed the largest proportional increases in sales in 2022, up by 17% and 15% respectively.
Following a decline in sales during the Covid-19 pandemic period, sales of parts for all types of aircraft (for civil use) showed the largest value increase for any single product in 2022, rising by £1.4 bn (27%) to £6.7 bn. This was followed by whisky sales which increased by £1.0 bn (25%) to £5.1 bn.
Other selected products showing notable increases in 2022 are wheat flour with sales of £1.6 bn, up by £0.4 bn (32%); and waters with added sugars (soft drinks) which increased by £0.6 bn (12%) to £5.4 bn.
High energy costs and the impact of the rising cost of living were some of the reasons manufacturers reported declining production or sales. Products showing declining sales in 2022 included beer, with sales falling £0.5 bn (13%) to £3.3 bn, and paints and varnishes (acrylic or vinyl) which showed a decline in sales of £0.4 bn (28%) to £0.9 bn.