Sep 4, 2025
IndexBox has just published a new report: United Kingdom – Opacifying Preparations For X-Ray Examinations – Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends And Insights.
The UK market for opacifying preparations for x-ray examinations is expected to see continuous growth over the next decade. With a projected CAGR of +1.3% in volume and +6.3% in value, the market is set to reach impressive figures by the end of 2035, reflecting a positive outlook for this sector.
Market Forecast
Driven by increasing demand for opacifying preparations for x-ray examinations in the UK, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next decade. Market performance is forecast to retain its current trend pattern, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +1.3% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market volume to 3.9K tons by the end of 2035.
In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +6.3% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market value to $3.8B (in nominal wholesale prices) by the end of 2035.
ConsumptionUnited Kingdom’s Consumption of Opacifying Preparations For X-Ray Examinations
After two years of decline, consumption of opacifying preparations for x-ray examinations increased by 1.8% to 3.4K tons in 2024. Over the period under review, consumption saw a relatively flat trend pattern. X-ray examination preparations consumption peaked in 2024 and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.
The value of the x-ray examination preparations market in the UK rose markedly to $2B in 2024, with an increase of 7.6% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers’ margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). Overall, the total consumption indicated a notable increase from 2013 to 2024: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.0% over the last eleven years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, consumption increased by +99.7% against 2017 indices. Over the period under review, the market reached the maximum level in 2024 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.
ProductionUnited Kingdom’s Production of Opacifying Preparations For X-Ray Examinations
In 2024, x-ray examination preparations production in the UK dropped to 2.3K tons, waning by -7.6% against the previous year. In general, production showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 54% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak volume of 2.7K tons. From 2022 to 2024, production growth remained at a lower figure.
In value terms, x-ray examination preparations production shrank modestly to $1.4B in 2024 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, saw notable growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 53%. X-ray examination preparations production peaked at $1.4B in 2023, and then reduced modestly in the following year.
ImportsUnited Kingdom’s Imports of Opacifying Preparations For X-Ray Examinations
In 2024, imports of opacifying preparations for x-ray examinations into the UK skyrocketed to 1.1K tons, growing by 26% compared with the year before. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.7% from 2013 to 2024; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2022 with an increase of 30% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum in 2024 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.
In value terms, x-ray examination preparations imports skyrocketed to $88M in 2024. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +4.2% over the period from 2013 to 2024; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when imports increased by 24% against the previous year. Imports peaked in 2024 and are likely to see gradual growth in years to come.
Imports By Country
In 2024, Ireland (683 tons) constituted the largest x-ray examination preparations supplier to the UK, with a 60% share of total imports. Moreover, x-ray examination preparations imports from Ireland exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Italy (145 tons), fivefold. The third position in this ranking was taken by the United States (80 tons), with a 7.1% share.
From 2013 to 2024, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Ireland amounted to +12.9%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Italy (-7.9% per year) and the United States (+43.0% per year).
In value terms, the largest x-ray examination preparations suppliers to the UK were Ireland ($24M), Germany ($19M) and France ($11M), together accounting for 61% of total imports. Spain, Italy, the United States, the Netherlands, Belgium and Canada lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 25%.
Among the main suppliers, the United States, with a CAGR of +26.8%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
Import Prices By Country
The average x-ray examination preparations import price stood at $77,591 per ton in 2024, reducing by -2.3% against the previous year. Over the last eleven-year period, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.4%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 28% against the previous year. The import price peaked at $79,624 per ton in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2024, import prices failed to regain momentum.
There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2024, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the Netherlands ($781,827 per ton), while the price for Ireland ($35,077 per ton) was amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Canada (+21.0%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.
ExportsUnited Kingdom’s Exports of Opacifying Preparations For X-Ray Examinations
X-ray examination preparations exports from the UK dropped rapidly to 18 tons in 2024, which is down by -38.4% against the year before. Overall, exports faced a deep contraction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 117%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of 213 tons. From 2018 to 2024, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.
In value terms, x-ray examination preparations exports contracted sharply to $14M in 2024. Over the period under review, exports showed a deep setback. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2023 when exports increased by 118%. The exports peaked at $36M in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2024, the exports failed to regain momentum.
Exports By Country
Norway (4.6 tons) was the main destination for x-ray examination preparations exports from the UK, accounting for a 25% share of total exports. Moreover, x-ray examination preparations exports to Norway exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, the United States (2.2 tons), twofold. The Netherlands (2 tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with an 11% share.
From 2013 to 2024, the average annual growth rate of volume to Norway was relatively modest. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the United States (-6.5% per year) and the Netherlands (+7.6% per year).
In value terms, the largest markets for x-ray examination preparations exported from the UK were the Netherlands ($5.4M), the United States ($3.7M) and Germany ($1.1M), together accounting for 73% of total exports.
Among the main countries of destination, the Netherlands, with a CAGR of +20.2%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced mixed trend patterns.
Export Prices By Country
In 2024, the average x-ray examination preparations export price amounted to $780,286 per ton, rising by 11% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price enjoyed tangible growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the average export price increased by 83%. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs in 2024 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.
Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Germany ($5,266,092 per ton), while the average price for exports to Norway ($62,652 per ton) was amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to the Netherlands (+11.7%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.