Ball bearings market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

The Italian ball bearing market opened the period at 408.6 million dollars in 2018, underpinned by a robust domestic manufacturing base featuring specialized firms like C.R. and UmbraGroup, alongside investments in automated quality control systems that enhanced product reliability. A significant contraction followed in 2019, with the market size falling to 303.6 million dollars. It then stabilized near 305 million dollars in 2020 as the global COVID-19 pandemic disrupted supply chains, though Italian producers maintained their focus on quality and customization to sustain operations.

A strong rebound and expansion characterized 2021 and 2022, with the market surging to 465.2 million dollars and then reaching a peak of 483.1 million dollars. This growth was primarily fueled by rising demand for high-performance bearings from the automotive and aerospace sectors, particularly for electric vehicles, coupled with increasing industrial automation. Major international player Schaeffler reinforced its Italian presence by launching new bearing solutions for electric vehicles in 2022, while fluctuations in raw material prices, such as steel, introduced cost pressures.

Following the peak, the market entered a phase of decline, decreasing to 430.6 million dollars in 2023 and further to 420.1 million dollars in 2024.

Production ball bearings in Italy

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Italy's ball bearings production declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 592.0 million US dollars, marking an 8.0% year-over-year decrease. Production fell by 15% between 2017 and 2020, which translates to an annualized decline of 5.3%. The peak was in 2018 at 763.8 million US dollars, with the largest annual increase of 9.7% that year. The sharpest drop occurred in 2019, at 15.7%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Italy's ball bearings production volume dropped for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 53 639 tonnes, a substantial 19.0% reduction compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 20.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -7.5%. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 85 362 tonnes, which saw the largest annual increase of 26.1%. The most significant decline happened in 2019, at 22.4%.

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

Exports ball bearings from Italy

Exports in kind, t

Italy's ball bearings exports fell for the second year running. In 2020, exports totaled 52 153 tonnes, a solid 15.6% decrease from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports dropped by 21%, equivalent to an annualized rate of -7.6%. The peak was in 2018 at 69 082 tonnes, with the largest annual increase of 4.7% that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy's ball bearings export market was diverse. Germany accounted for 31.0% of exports in kind, Belgium for 10.3%, and Sweden for 7.8%, together making up 49.1% of total flows. The remaining 50.9% was distributed among many other countries.

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

Italy's ball bearings exports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, export value reached 705.9 million US dollars, a significant 18.6% drop compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 18.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -6.6%. The highest value was in 2018 at 967.8 million US dollars, which saw the largest annual increase of 11.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Italy's ball bearings export market in value terms was broad. Germany contributed 28.3% of exports in value, Belgium 10.0%, and France 8.6%, collectively accounting for 47.0% of total flows. The other 53.0% was shared by numerous other countries.

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

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

Imports ball bearings to Italy

Imports in kind, t

Italy's ball bearings imports declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports amounted to 47 898 tonnes, a significant 19.9% decrease from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 28.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -10.7%. The peak was in 2018 at 47 898 tonnes, with the largest annual increase of 8.7% that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China was the largest supplier of ball bearings to Italy in kind, accounting for 39.6% of imports. Germany followed with 17.0%, and the Netherlands with 12.3%. Together, these three countries formed 68.9% of total imports in kind.

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 ball bearings imports dropped for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports were valued at 419.0 million US dollars, a 20.5% decline from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 24.1%, equating to an annualized rate of -8.8%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 612.6 million US dollars, with the largest annual increase of 10.9% that year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany was the leading source for Italy's ball bearings imports in value terms, with 24.7% of the total. China accounted for 19.4%, and France for 13.7%. These three countries jointly made up 57.8% of total import flows.

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

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