Imports in first 6 months of 2021 higher than any year in previous decade

Bicycle Association members have today received the trade body’s latest analysis of HMRC import and export data, a quarterly 15-page report examining trends in imports and exports of bicycles, e-bikes, frames and forks.

In 2021, despite global supply issues and Brexit, the total number of bicycles and e-bikes imported into the UK has significantly increased year on year – a trend which must reflect the unprecedented demand and related forecasts from 2020. Overall, while some supply has been disrupted by the reported limitations in global production capacity, the UK has clearly been successful in increasing its total supply of bicycles and e-bikes.

The chart below summarises the position to end of Q2 2021:

Steve Garidis, Executive Director of the BA, said:

“Looking forward it now seems reasonably likely that more bicycles and e-bikes will be imported into the UK in 2021 than in 2020. This should be seen as a considerable success for the UK industry, given the twin challenges of Covid and Brexit.

However, sufficient supply remains problematic given that shutdowns and lockdowns continue to affect producing countries. The high price of shipping also continues to be a very challenging factor, whilst restrictions on global production capacity and component availability mean that the products imported may not cover all of the types and price-points which the industry and consumers want.

The BA’s Market Data Service (MDS) – which captures retail sales direct from tills across the country representing over 70% of the total UK cycling market – is now reporting sales data to the end of June 2021. The MDS reports that sales remain strong in 2021, but there are signs of demand softening in a number of categories.”

Cycling businesses interested in joining the BA will find full information about membership here