Fastest Growing Industries by Exports in United States in 2026

• 1. Ship Building in the US

  Growth in Exports for 2026: 16.7%

  Shipbuilders design, build and repair ships and other vessels for military and commercial clients. Long project lead times, primarily for defense contracts, have led to a consistent flow of revenue, keeping shipyard revenue stable despite supply chain disruptions, climbing interest rates, geopolitical uncertainty and other exogenous shocks. Major protectionist policies in both commercial and military markets also create steady domestic growth. In particular, rebounding defense spending, stron...

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• 2. 3D Printer Manufacturing in the US

  Growth in Exports for 2026: 12.9%

  The 3D printer manufacturing industry is expected to reach $3.9 billion in revenue by 2025, growing 4.0% for the year and achieving a 6.4% CAGR over the current period, driven by applications moving beyond prototyping toward serial production. This expansion enables aerospace manufacturers to adopt metal printers for certified aircraft components, while the medical sector leverages biocompatible systems for patient-specific implants, transforming printers from prototyping tools into viable pr...

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• 3. Smart Thermostat Manufacturing in the US

  Growth in Exports for 2026: 12.1%

  The smart thermostat manufacturing industry has undergone rapid expansion over the past five years, transforming from a niche technology into a mainstream household product. Early adoption was slow, but as connected home ecosystems became standard, manufacturers saw demand surge from both first-time buyers and energy-conscious consumers. Entry by large tech manufacturers like Amazon and Google Nest intensified competition, diversification and innovation. Between 2020 and 2025, the industry gr...

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• 4. Activated Carbon Manufacturing in the US

  Growth in Exports for 2026: 7.8%

  Environmental regulation, water infrastructure investments and industrial compliance mandates define the structural context and primary growth catalysts for the industry. Heightened scrutiny of municipal water treatment standards, increased remediation of contaminated groundwater and the expansion of emission control requirements in power generation directly drive demand for activated carbon products. Downstream markets in food and beverage processing, pharmaceuticals a...

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• 5. Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Manufacturing in the US

  Growth in Exports for 2026: 7.6%

  UAV manufacturers face significant volatility across commercial and military markets, grappling with unique regulations, emerging and disruptive innovations and complex commercial trade conditions. Companies have especially dealt with major contract cancellations as the DoD moves toward modernization and modularity, prioritizing the CCA program and tactical versatility over single-job drones. However, greater drone integration across both military doctrine and commercia...

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• 6. Hardware Manufacturing in the US

  Growth in Exports for 2026: 6.9%

  The hardware manufacturing industry has faced a challenging operating environment over the past five years, with industry revenue declining at a compound annual rate of 2.2%. In 2025, industry revenue is expected to reach $10.0 billion, reflecting continued pressure from downstream market volatility, supply chain disruptions and previously subdued construction and automotive activity. 2025's revenue growth rate is expected to bounce back by 1.3%, as the sector recovers from...

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• 7. Tractors & Agricultural Machinery Manufacturing in the US

  Growth in Exports for 2026: 6.9%

  The agricultural machinery manufacturing industry in the US is facing significant hurdles due to high crop stocks and persistent interest rates. While strong crop prices expanded machinery sales early in the current period, record-high production levels have since led to an oversupply, causing crop prices to plummet. Consequently, farmers' incomes have fallen, resulting in tightened budgets and deferred machinery purchases. Additionally, the market has been impacted by high interest rates, ma...

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• 8. Cotton Personal-Care Product Manufacturing in the US

  Growth in Exports for 2026: 6.6%

  Industry growth and profitability are driven by shifts in personal care routines among US consumers, as well as healthcare sector protocols and procurement practices within the medical distribution sector. Heightened demand in hospitals and outpatient settings for both sterile and nonsterile surgical cotton has historically stabilized base volumes, while beauty and wellness trends expand retail categories such as cotton swabs, facial wipes and cotton balls. Labor costs, environmental regulati...

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• 9. Aircraft, Engine & Parts Manufacturing in the US

  Growth in Exports for 2026: 6.4%

  Despite collapsing demand for air travel and new airplanes amid the COVID-19 pandemic, pent-up demand in its aftermath brought a surge of air transit, boosting revenue as airlines sought replacements for planes and plane parts. Similarly, new global conflicts and rising world tensions have spurred US, NATO and major non-NATO ally (MNNA) spending, supporting revenue for defense contractors despite strict export guidelines and regulations. Overall, revenue is expected to climb at a CAGR of 9.7%...

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• 10. Solar Panel Manufacturing in the US

  Growth in Exports for 2026: 6.3%

  Solar panel manufacturers have thrived despite some hurdles throughout the period. Companies saw an uptick in the need for solar panels as the country continued emphasizing renewable energy. The Inflation Reduction Act bolstered and extended production and investment tax credits, making domestic manufacturing more viable. Even so, manufacturers have been plagued by import penetration, specifically from Asian products, which flooded the US market with low-cost solar modules and cells. In 2022,...

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