United Kingdom: Inflatable Vessel Market 2025

Inflatable Vessel Market Size in the UK

In 2021, after four years of growth, there was decline in the UK inflatable vessel market, when its value decreased by -2.3% to $X. Over the period under review, consumption, however, continues to indicate strong growth. Inflatable vessel consumption peaked at $X in 2020, and then fell slightly in the following year.

Inflatable Vessel Production in the UK

In value terms, inflatable vessel production reached $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, showed a mild decrease. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when the production volume increased by 23% against the previous year. Inflatable vessel production peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

Inflatable Vessel Exports

Exports from the UK

In 2021, inflatable vessel exports from the UK soared to X units, surging by 17% on the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, total exports indicated a remarkable increase from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +7.0% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports increased by +74.1% against 2018 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 when exports increased by 46% against the previous year. The exports peaked in 2021 and are likely to see steady growth in years to come.

In value terms, inflatable vessel exports expanded slightly to $X in 2021. Overall, total exports indicated resilient growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +7.2% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports increased by +60.9% against 2018 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 with an increase of 60%. The exports peaked in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

Ireland (X units) was the main destination for inflatable vessel exports from the UK, with a 38% share of total exports. Moreover, inflatable vessel exports to Ireland exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, France (X units), twofold. Italy (X units) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 12% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Ireland totaled +34.9%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: France (+13.2% per year) and Italy (+24.1% per year).

In value terms, the largest markets for inflatable vessel exported from the UK were Italy ($X), France ($X) and the United Arab Emirates ($X), together accounting for 38% of total exports.

The United Arab Emirates, with a CAGR of +26.1%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, in terms of the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The average inflatable vessel export price stood at $X per unit in 2021, falling by -12.1% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when the average export price increased by 11%. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs at $X per unit in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($X per unit), while the average price for exports to Ireland ($X per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Australia (+29.1%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Inflatable Vessel Imports

Imports into the UK

In 2021, purchases abroad of inflatable vessels for pleasure or sports decreased by -11.9% to X units for the first time since 2016, thus ending a four-year rising trend. Over the period under review, imports, however, continue to indicate a strong increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 85%. Imports peaked at X units in 2020, and then dropped in the following year.

In value terms, inflatable vessel imports expanded notably to $X in 2021. Overall, imports, however, saw a prominent expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 42%. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure in 2021 and are likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

Imports by Country

In 2021, China (X units) constituted the largest supplier of inflatable vessel to the UK, accounting for a 56% share of total imports. Moreover, inflatable vessel imports from China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, the United Arab Emirates (X units), threefold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Germany (X units), with a 9.2% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume from China amounted to +9.8%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the United Arab Emirates (+698.5% per year) and Germany (+17.1% per year).

In value terms, China ($X) constituted the largest supplier of inflatable vessels for pleasure or sports to the UK, comprising 41% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by the United Arab Emirates ($X), with a 20% share of total imports. It was followed by Belgium, with a 7.6% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value from China amounted to +15.6%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the United Arab Emirates (+484.5% per year) and Belgium (+11.6% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average inflatable vessel import price amounted to $X per unit, surging by 19% against the previous year. In general, the import price continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when the average import price increased by 54%. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per unit. From 2017 to 2021, the average import prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Belgium ($X per unit), while the price for Germany ($X per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China (+5.3%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced mixed trend patterns.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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