Industries with the Biggest Decline in Exports in the US in 2025

1. Whiskey & Bourbon Distilleries in the US

Decline in Exports for 2025: -85.6%

Whiskey and bourbon distilleries experience mounting competition from within the industry and from other alcoholic beverage products. However, world-famous brands and a whiskey-hungry public keeps sales ticking upward. In fact, throughout the reporting period, whiskey distilleries have yet to report a year of revenue declines. As a result, over the five years to 2023, whiskey and bourbon distillery revenue is expected to rise at a CAGR of 4.4% to $5.7 billion, including an estimated subdued growth of 0.8% in 2023.

Despite the rosy numbers, whiskey distillers experience their fair share of setbacks. For instance, the pandemic severely disrupted the industry, with... Learn More

2. Overhead Crane Manufacturing in the US

Decline in Exports for 2025: -27.9%

The Overhead Crane Manufacturing industry has experienced substantial volatility. Companies design and manufacture overhead cranes, gantry cranes, straddle carriers, crane monorail systems and related parts and components. This equipment is primarily used in industrial and transportation operations, like shipyards, steel plants, ports, container hubs and distribution centers. Industry revenue increased as US manufacturing and freight volumes improved. However, downstream demand faltered as industrial markets slowed amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Ultimately, industry revenue has been growing at an average annualized 0.8% over the past five years and is expected to total $1.4 billion in 2023, when revenue is projected to slip... Learn More

3. Acne Treatment Manufacturing OTC in the US

Decline in Exports for 2025: -22.6%

The Acne Treatment Manufacturing OTC industry benefits from fairly stable demand because acne-prone individuals consider them a necessary expense. However, adolescents comprise the industry's largest market. High unemployment levels and low disposable incomes within this shrinking age bracket have caused sales of over-the-counter (OTC) acne treatments to drop. Moreover, the industry has been undercut by less expensive goods produced abroad. Increasingly, manufacturers have sought to locate internationally to take advantage of lower labor costs, causing imports to expand as a share of domestic demand. So, industry-wide revenue has been decreasing at a CAGR of 1.2% over the past five years,... Learn More

4. Smart Meter Manufacturing in the US

Decline in Exports for 2025: -12.4%

The industry has experienced growth through the end of 2023, fueled by rising demand for a modernized power grid and aggressive adoption of the technology nationwide. In addition to improving residential construction activity, demand for smart meters has benefited from a greater number of utilities converting to smart grids. Grid modernization is quickly becoming a core emphasis across energy industries, buoyed by government support and consumer demand for cost and energy-saving technologies. Still, revenue decreased at a CAGR of 0.3% to $6.2 billion through the end of 2023, including an expected 1.0% decrease in 2023 primarily because of falling demand... Learn More

5. Syrup & Flavoring Production in the US

Decline in Exports for 2025: -11.7%

Producers in the Syrup and Flavoring Production industry have experienced a period of volatile demand in recent years. Revenue from major products has been negatively affected by sluggish demand for downstream products, while trends favoring the creation of customizable beverages at home has increased demand for coffee- and dessert-flavoring syrups. Shifting consumer preferences have engendered a moderate contraction across the industry, with revenue declining at a CAGR of 1.7% to $12.5 billion over the five years to 2023. The recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic is not expected to translate into a broader recovery for the industry, as rising import penetration... Learn More

6. Industrial Chocolate Production in the US

Decline in Exports for 2025: -8.3%

The Industrial Chocolate Production industry has experienced growth, despite volatility from fluctuating cocoa prices and challenges introduced by the COVID-19 pandemic. The industry's production, which includes processed cocoa beans to manufacture cocoa products, including cocoa powder, liquor and butter, is largely destined for chocolate confectionery producers, although bakers and dairy beverage producers also buy cocoa products to infuse into their foods. In recent years, fluctuations in cocoa prices have been offset by improving disposable incomes and greater demand for premium chocolate goods. Despite an added emphasis on health consciousness by American consumers and challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic that... Learn More

7. Newsprint Manufacturing in the US

Decline in Exports for 2025: -5.9%

The industry produces newsprint, a type of paper packaged in long rolls for use in printing presses. Newspapers and advertisements are most commonly printed on newsprint paper, which is primarily composed of wood pulp. The shift to digital platforms has significantly affected the newsprint industry, with demand for traditional print media plummeting and COVID-19 accelerating the push toward digitalization. Trade tensions and tariffs, notably between the US and Canada, have impacted the industry, increasing costs and affecting imported newsprint availability, causing uncertainty for future operations. Alongside these challenges, companies have had to navigate supply chain disruptions and form flexible strategies... Learn More

8. Paper Mills in the US

Decline in Exports for 2025: -5.3%

The Paper Mills industry, which produces a range of communication papers and personal care products, has contended with many obstacles to success. Rising foreign competition from industry frontrunners and developing economies – which can produce and export at lower costs – plus a persistent decline in downstream demand for paper and paper products have hindered the industry in recent years. Due to these ongoing factors, industry-wide revenue shrunk at a CAGR of 4.0% to $36.1 billion over the past five years, including a decrease of 0.2% in 2023 even as the economy recovers from the pandemic.

Major industry operators have had... Learn More

9. Ferrous Metal Foundry Products in the US

Decline in Exports for 2025: -5.2%

An array of downstream industries in the manufacturing and construction sectors use ferrous metal foundry products. These markets have strengthened at the start of the current period as strong consumer spending and an accommodative lending environment encouraged industrial activity. Fluctuating raw material prices, though, have contributed to a rising level of revenue volatility. Also, the industry has recently struggled to maintain growth and profit during the systematic shock to economic activity and global trade stemming from the pandemic. Overall, the industry will weaken at a CAGR of 4.2% to an expected $17.6 billion through 2023. Rising interest rates will keep... Learn More

10. Iron Ore Mining in the US

Decline in Exports for 2025: -4.4%

Iron ore miners are highly susceptible to changes in industrial production, which is why COVID-19 wreaked havoc on this industry. Severe iron ore and steel price volatility has significantly impacted iron ore miners. Overall, industry-wide revenue has been falling at a CAGR of 1.6% over the past five years and is expected to total $5.1 billion in 2023, when revenue will plummet by an estimated 13.3%.

Iron ore miners' output has remained stable in recent years, excluding 2020, when mines and steelmakers halted production. Iron ore miners have faced severe price-based volatility over the past five years. Following mine closures in... Learn More