Oct 19, 2025
IndexBox has just published a new report: United Kingdom – Knives, Scissors And Blades – Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights.
This market analysis provides a comprehensive overview of the United Kingdom’s knives, scissors, and blades sector. In 2024, consumption rose to 40 million units, with a market value of $102 million. The market is forecast to grow at a CAGR of +0.4% in volume and +0.7% in value until 2035, reaching 42 million units and $111 million, respectively. The UK is heavily import-dependent, with China being the dominant supplier (80% of import volume). Domestic production is modest at 4.8 million units. Key import categories include scissors, fixed-blade knives, and table knives, while the primary exports are cutting blades and clasp knives.
Key Findings
Market forecast to grow slowly, with volume reaching 42M units by 2035 at a +0.4% CAGRChina is the dominant import source, supplying 80% of volume and 59% of valueDomestic production is limited, accounting for only about 12% of total consumptionImports are essential, making up over 115% of the domestic market volumeBelgium, the US, and Poland are the top export destinations for UK-made productsMarket Forecast
Driven by increasing demand for knives, scissors and blades in the UK, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next decade. Market performance is forecast to decelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +0.4% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market volume to 42M units by the end of 2035.
In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +0.7% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market value to $111M (in nominal wholesale prices) by the end of 2035.
ConsumptionUnited Kingdom’s Consumption of Knives, Scissors And Blades
In 2024, consumption of knives, scissors and blades was finally on the rise to reach 40M units after two years of decline. The total consumption volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.3% from 2013 to 2024; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations in certain years. Over the period under review, consumption attained the peak volume at 41M units in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2024, consumption failed to regain momentum.
The size of the knife and scissors market in the UK expanded notably to $102M in 2024, picking up by 8.2% 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 measured growth from 2013 to 2024: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.7% over the last eleven-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, consumption decreased by -2.8% against 2022 indices. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $105M in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, consumption failed to regain momentum.
ProductionUnited Kingdom’s Production of Knives, Scissors And Blades
In 2024, the amount of knives, scissors and blades produced in the UK contracted slightly to 4.8M units, remaining constant against 2023. Overall, production, however, enjoyed a prominent increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the production volume increased by 189% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak volume of 4.9M units. From 2020 to 2024, production growth remained at a lower figure.
In value terms, knife and scissors production stood at $16M in 2024 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, saw prominent growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when the production volume increased by 210% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production hit record highs in 2024 and is likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.
ImportsUnited Kingdom’s Imports of Knives, Scissors And Blades
In 2024, after two years of decline, there was significant growth in purchases abroad of knives, scissors and blades, when their volume increased by 17% to 46M units. In general, imports recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 30%. As a result, imports attained the peak of 55M units. From 2015 to 2024, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.
In value terms, knife and scissors imports expanded significantly to $121M in 2024. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% from 2013 to 2024; however, the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when imports increased by 22%. As a result, imports reached the peak of $122M. From 2015 to 2024, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.
Imports By Country
In 2024, China (37M units) constituted the largest supplier of knife and scissors to the UK, with a 80% share of total imports. Moreover, knife and scissors imports from China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Turkey (2.4M units), more than tenfold. The third position in this ranking was held by Taiwan (Chinese) (1.1M units), with a 2.5% share.
From 2013 to 2024, the average annual growth rate of volume from China totaled +1.2%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Turkey (+21.6% per year) and Taiwan (Chinese) (+4.2% per year).
In value terms, China ($71M) constituted the largest supplier of knives, scissors and blades to the UK, comprising 59% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Germany ($7.7M), with a 6.4% share of total imports. It was followed by Taiwan (Chinese), with a 5.5% share.
From 2013 to 2024, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from China totaled +2.2%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Germany (-2.8% per year) and Taiwan (Chinese) (+7.5% per year).
Imports By Type
Scissors and tailor shears (16M units), knives having fixed cutting blades (9.2M units) and table knives (5.5M units) were the main products of knife and scissors imports to the UK, with a combined 68% share of total imports. Clasp knives, knives; with handles of base metal, knives with cutting blades, serrated or not (including pruning knives) and blades; cutting, serrated or not, excluding those of heading no. 8208 lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 32%.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the major product types, was attained by knives; with handles of base metal (with a CAGR of +8.3%), while imports for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.
In value terms, knives, scissors and blades with the largest imports in the UK were knives having fixed cutting blades ($33M), scissors and tailor shears ($25M) and knives with cutting blades, serrated or not (including pruning knives) ($23M), together comprising 67% of total imports. Clasp knives, table knives, knives; with handles of base metal and blades; cutting, serrated or not, excluding those of heading no. 8208 lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 33%.
Knives; with handles of base metal, with a CAGR of +9.3%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, in terms of the main product categories over the period under review, while purchases for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.
Import Prices By Type
The average knife and scissors import price stood at $2.6 per unit in 2024, waning by -7% against the previous year. Over the last eleven years, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.1%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2022 an increase of 13% against the previous year. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $2.9 per unit. From 2023 to 2024, the average import prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.
Prices varied noticeably by the product type; the product with the highest price was knives with cutting blades, serrated or not (including pruning knives) ($9.8 per unit), while the price for knives; with handles of base metal ($1.1 per unit) was amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by knives with cutting blades, serrated or not (including pruning knives) (+3.1%), while the prices for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.
Import Prices By Country
In 2024, the average knife and scissors import price amounted to $2.6 per unit, which is down by -7% against the previous year. Over the period from 2013 to 2024, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.1%. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2022 an increase of 13% against the previous year. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $2.9 per unit. From 2023 to 2024, the average import prices failed to regain momentum.
Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was France ($16 per unit), while the price for Turkey ($936 per thousand units) was amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by France (+17.9%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.
ExportsUnited Kingdom’s Exports of Knives, Scissors And Blades
In 2024, shipments abroad of knives, scissors and blades increased by 4.8% to 10M units for the first time since 2018, thus ending a five-year declining trend. In general, exports, however, continue to indicate a pronounced curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when exports increased by 29% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of 18M units. From 2015 to 2024, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.
In value terms, knife and scissors exports stood at $34M in 2024. Over the period under review, exports, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 27% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $47M. From 2015 to 2024, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.
Exports By Country
Belgium (3.2M units) was the main destination for knife and scissors exports from the UK, accounting for a 31% share of total exports. Moreover, knife and scissors exports to Belgium exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Poland (1.5M units), twofold. The United States (1.2M units) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 12% share.
From 2013 to 2024, the average annual growth rate of volume to Belgium was relatively modest. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Poland (+2.8% per year) and the United States (+3.2% per year).
In value terms, Belgium ($7.4M), the United States ($5.6M) and Poland ($3.4M) were the largest markets for knife and scissors exported from the UK worldwide, with a combined 48% share of total exports. Ireland, France, Germany, Sweden, the Netherlands, Australia, Thailand and Italy lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 34%.
Among the main countries of destination, Sweden, with a CAGR of +10.7%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
Exports By Type
Blades; cutting, serrated or not, excluding those of heading no. 8208 (6M units) was the largest type of knives, scissors and blades exported from the UK, with a 58% share of total exports. Moreover, blades; cutting, serrated or not, excluding those of heading no. 8208 exceeded the volume of the second product type, clasp knives (1.6M units), fourfold. Scissors and tailor shears (1M units) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 9.9% share.
From 2013 to 2024, the average annual rate of growth in terms of the volume of blades; cutting, serrated or not, excluding those of heading no. 8208 exports amounted to -1.1%. With regard to the other exported products, the following average annual rates of growth were recorded: clasp knives (+1.4% per year) and scissors and tailor shears (-8.1% per year).
In value terms, blades; cutting, serrated or not, excluding those of heading no. 8208 ($13M), clasp knives ($7.3M) and knives having fixed cutting blades ($5.5M) constituted the most exported types of knives, scissors and blades from the UK worldwide, together accounting for 76% of total exports.
Clasp knives, with a CAGR of +2.8%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, among the main product categories over the period under review, while shipments for the other products experienced mixed trend patterns.
Export Prices By Type
In 2024, the average knife and scissors export price amounted to $3.3 per unit, standing approx. at the previous year. Over the last eleven years, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.7%. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2023 an increase of 13% against the previous year. The export price peaked in 2024 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.
There were significant differences in the average prices for the major types of exported product. In 2024, the product with the highest price was knives with cutting blades, serrated or not (including pruning knives) ($15 per unit), while the average price for exports of blades; cutting, serrated or not, excluding those of heading no. 8208 ($2.2 per unit) was amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for the following types: scissors and tailor shears (+5.6%), while the prices for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.
Export Prices By Country
In 2024, the average knife and scissors export price amounted to $3.3 per unit, flattening at the previous year. Over the period from 2013 to 2024, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.7%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2023 when the average export price increased by 13% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs in 2024 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.
There were significant differences in the average prices for the major overseas markets. In 2024, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Italy ($7.3 per unit), while the average price for exports to Poland ($2.2 per unit) was amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Italy (+11.1%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.