Exercise books market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2024, the Italian exercise book market contracted in both physical volume and monetary value. The market volume fell from 31 154 tonnes to 26 662 tonnes, while its value declined from 63.7 million US dollars to 57.0 million US dollars. This overall downward trend included fluctuations, with significant drops in 2019 and 2023.

A notable shift occurred in 2023 when Pigna, the market leader with a 46% share, began diversifying into digital school software through partnerships and projects that blend analog and digital products. This strategic expansion into premium international markets coincided with a sharp decrease in market volume to 25 550 tonnes that year.

In 2024, market volume recovered to 26 662 tonnes even as the total value slightly decreased. Two primary factors drove this dynamic: a broad price increase of 7-8% for school supplies due to inflation and higher paper costs, and a growing consumer shift toward online purchases where average prices were lower, altering buying patterns.

Production exercise books in Italy

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In Italy, the production value of exercise books reached 60 310 thousand US dollars in 2020, showing a slight year-over-year increase of 1.7%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 45.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 13.3%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 62 778 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 51.4%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the most significant decline of 5.5%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Italy produced 30 231 tonnes of exercise books in 2020, marking a moderate gain of 7.1% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production increased by 39.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 11.8%. The peak was in 2018 at 31 107 tonnes, which also had the largest increase of 43.9%. The most notable decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 9.3%.

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

Exports exercise books from Italy

Exports in kind, t

Italy's exports of exercise books amounted to 2 335 tonnes in 2020, reflecting a modest rise of 7.8% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 38.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 11.6%. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 2 573 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 53.1%. In 2019, exports experienced the most significant decline of 15.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Croatia, and France were the primary buyers of exercise books from Italy, accounting for 61.6% of total exports in kind. Germany led with 44.3%, followed by Croatia at 9.5%, and France at 7.8%.

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, K $ US

Italy exported 5 306 thousand US dollars worth of exercise books in 2020, up by 6.2% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 57.7%, with an annualized rate of 16.4%. The maximum value was in 2018 at 5 498 thousand US dollars, which also had the largest increase of 63.4%. In 2019, exports saw the most significant decline of 9.2%.

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

The structure of exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 indicates a diversified set of partners. Germany, France, and Croatia accounted for 41.3% of total flows, with Germany at 24.3%, France at 8.9%, and Croatia at 8.1%. The remaining 58.7% was distributed among numerous smaller markets.

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

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

Imports exercise books to Italy

Imports in kind, t

Italy's imports of exercise books declined for the third consecutive year, with volumes falling by 6.6% in 2020 compared to the prior year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 19.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.0%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, China, Austria, and Slovenia formed the core of Italy's imports in kind, together accounting for 65.6% of total flows. China led with 35.2%, followed by Austria at 15.3%, and Slovenia at 15.2%.

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, K $ US

Italy's imports of exercise books declined for the second consecutive year, with a strong drop of 17.3% in 2020 compared to 2019, reaching 5 119 thousand US dollars. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 11.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 6 381 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 10.6%.

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

In the period from 2017 to 2020, China, Slovenia, and Austria were the main sources for Italy's imports of exercise books in value terms, with a combined share of 54.1%. China accounted for 35.9%, Slovenia for 9.2%, and Austria for 9.1%.

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

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