Aluminium wire market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the Italian aluminium wire market was influenced by strong demand from the automotive sector for vehicle weight reduction, which supported trade flows. The aluminium sector in Italy experienced a decline during this period, with market volume reaching 54 346 tonnes in 2020, before a recovery began in 2021.

A sharp 59.8% revenue increase in the aluminium sector in 2021, despite persistent semiconductor shortages and supply chain bottlenecks, contributed to rising imports. Environmental policies focusing on decarbonization and support for recycled metals raised production costs. In 2022, significant growth in global primary aluminium production and Italy's technological leadership in downstream SMEs supported the market, even as aluminium prices more than halved due to a global surplus and high inventories. The market volume grew to 71 415 tonnes in 2022.

Market volume stabilized at 71 390 tonnes in 2023 as production of extrusions, including wire, fell by 1.8% despite new plant commissioning that raised national capacity above one million tonnes. In 2024, further new extrusion plants came online, increasing capacity though utilization remained at 60%, indicating margin pressure. The market grew to 74 897 tonnes, sustained by stable demand from food and pharmaceutical packaging segments, while global trade policies and geopolitical uncertainties continued to affect supply chains.

Production aluminium wire in Italy

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, Italy's aluminium wire production was valued at 57 822 thousand US dollars, remaining broadly stable compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 23.5%, which equates to an annualized decline of 8.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Italy in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, t

In 2020, Italy produced 10 158 tonnes of aluminium wire, showing negligible variation from the prior year. From 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 9.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Italy in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports aluminium wire from Italy

Exports in kind, t

Italy exported 15 720 tonnes of aluminium wire in 2020, marking a moderate gain of 9.7% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 8.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.8%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 14 325 tonnes, which represented a 2.0% decline from the previous year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Italy in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Croatia, Germany, and China were the top destinations for Italy's aluminium wire exports in volume terms. Croatia accounted for 21.7% of exports, Germany for 20.0%, and China for 12.4%. Together, these three countries comprised 54.1% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Italy in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Italy exported aluminium wire worth 63.7 million US dollars, showing a small gain of 3.0% relative to the prior year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 6.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.2%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 61.9 million US dollars, which represented a 15.5% decline from 2018. The maximum value was in 2018 at 73.2 million US dollars, reflecting a 7.6% increase from the previous year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Italy in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Italy's aluminium wire exports in value terms were distributed across a wide set of partner countries. Germany accounted for 20.0% of exports, China for 18.3%, and Croatia for 10.9%. Together, these three countries represented 49.3% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Italy in value, 2017-2020

Imports aluminium wire to Italy

Imports in kind, t

Italy's aluminium wire imports increased for the third consecutive year in 2020, reaching 59 908 tonnes. This represented a 3.2% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 8.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Italy in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Italy's aluminium wire imports in volume terms came from a broad portfolio of partner countries. France accounted for 24.6% of imports, Mozambique for 15.1%, and Spain for 10.2%. Together, these three countries represented 49.9% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Italy in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Italy's aluminium wire imports declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, totaling 144.5 million US dollars. This reflected a moderate decline of 3.1% from the previous year. The maximum import value was recorded in 2018 at 160.9 million US dollars, which was a 10.0% increase from 2017. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a 7.4% drop from 2018.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Italy in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Italy's aluminium wire imports in value terms showed a balanced rather than concentrated partner structure. France accounted for 22.5% of imports, Mozambique for 12.7%, and Spain for 10.6%. Together, these three countries represented 45.8% of total import flows, with many other countries accounting for the remaining 54.2%.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Italy in value, 2017-2020