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. Cutting Tool & Machine Tool Accessory Manufacturing in the US

Decline in Exports for 2025: -11.3%

Volatile returns for cutting tool and machine tool accessory manufacturers are in part due to difficult operating conditions caused by supply chain disruptions and poor macroeconomic conditions associated with COVID-19. These have all challenged the industry's growth during the period. Moreover, these declines were amplified by the industry's dependence on industrial markets, such as manufacturing, oil and gas. Industry-wide revenue fell at a CAGR of 0.6% to $6.5 billion over the past five years, including a 1.5% decrease in 2023.

The US dollar has remained strong during the period, making exports more expensive to key markets, including Canada. This has hindered... Learn More

7. Semiconductor & Circuit Manufacturing in the US

Decline in Exports for 2025: -9.5%

Semiconductor technology is responsible for the creation, transfer and viewing of the words on this page. The core component of electronics and a vital input of products and services across the economy, semiconductor components are stuffed into computers, TVs, vehicles, microwaves, vending machines, servers, billboards, telecommunications and more. The Semiconductor and Circuit Manufacturing industry is one of the top export industries in the United States and, according to the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA), indirectly provides jobs to more than 277,000 Americans. This diversification limits risk for an otherwise incredibly technical and cash-hungry production process.

Manipulating silicon into thinking requires colossal capital... Learn More

8. Audio & Video Equipment Manufacturing in the US

Decline in Exports for 2025: -9.4%

Volatile returns for audio and video equipment manufacturing are in part due to supply chain inefficiencies, global chip shortages and poor macroeconomic conditions associated with COVID-19. These have all challenged the industry's growth during the period. Despite this situation, industry-wide revenue has taken a step forward at a CAGR of 0.6% to $4.0 billion over the past five years, including a 4.3% decrease in 2023.

Domestic operators have focused on cost-cutting strategies and product differentiation to better compete with competitors. For example, Samsung holds the majority of its manufacturing operations in countries with lower labor costs, resulting in sustained profit. Due... Learn More

9. 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

10. Soybean Farming in the US

Decline in Exports for 2025: -8.2%

The Soybean Farming industry is historically volatile. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, industry revenue had declined because of falling exports to China. In 2018, the US and China entered a trade war brought on by the US imposing tariffs on Chinese steel. The Chinese government responded by placing significant tariffs on US soybeans. China has historically been a major importer of soybeans, so these tariffs resulted in revenue declines for industry growers. However, in 2020, exports of soybeans surged as global supply chain disruptions increased demand for soybeans in other countries. Meanwhile, as the US economy moved beyond the pandemic in... Learn More