Fork-lift and other works trucks fitted with lifting or handling equipment market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

The Italian market for fork-lift trucks expanded to $960 million in 2019, supported by the entry of new models such as Liebherr's new lifter range and JCB's telescopic handlers, which broadened product choice. This growth was abruptly reversed in 2020 when the market volume fell to $581 million, primarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic which forced many warehouses to halt operations in the first half of the year.

A resurgence in demand from the logistics and mining sectors in 2021 led to increased production and imports, though strong export growth resulted in a slight market contraction to $548 million. The market stabilized around $547 million in 2022, aided by the launch of advanced products like Mitsubishi Logisnext's electric pneumatic forklifts and a growing focus on automation and safety technologies in response to labor shortages.

After a decline to $427 million in 2023, the market recovered to $449 million in 2024. This rebound was fueled by the accelerated adoption of automated handling systems and electric forklifts, which came to represent 62% of demand, alongside industry investments in charging infrastructure and autonomous driving technologies.

Production fork-lift and works trucks in Italy

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After two years of growth, Italy's production of forklifts and other works trucks fitted with lifting or handling equipment declined. In 2020, output was valued at 1 204 million US dollars, marking a sharp year-on-year drop of 32.6%. Production decreased by 25% between 2017 and 2020, equivalent to an annualized rate of 9.1%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 1 785 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 6.2%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K unit

Italy's production of forklifts and other works trucks fitted with lifting or handling equipment fell for the second year in a row. In 2020, 178.4 thousand units were produced, down 17.0% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production declined by 24.2%, translating to an annualized rate of 8.8%. The highest output was in 2018 at 255.1 thousand units, which also experienced the largest increase of 8.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Italy in kind, 2017-2020, K unit

Exports fork-lift and works trucks from Italy

Exports in kind, K unit

The market showed significant volatility during this period. Exports peaked in 2017 and hit their lowest point in 2020, with a 31-fold difference between these years. In 2020, shipments from Italy totaled 198 thousand units, a 21.4% decrease compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 96.0%, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 0.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Italy in kind, 2017-2020, K unit

From 2017 to 2020, Algeria was the primary destination for exports in kind, accounting for 85.9% of total flows. Other markets contributed smaller shares, forming a long tail of minor partners.

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

Following two years of growth, Italy's exports of forklifts and other works trucks fitted with lifting or handling equipment declined. In 2020, exports reached 1 253 million US dollars, representing a strong year-on-year decrease of 21.3%. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 5.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 592 million US dollars, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 18.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Italy exported forklifts and other works trucks fitted with lifting or handling equipment to a diverse range of markets. Even the top destinations—Germany, France, and Belgium—collectively accounted for only 39.1% of total export value.

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

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

Imports fork-lift and works trucks to Italy

Imports in kind, K unit

Italy's imports of forklifts and other works trucks fitted with lifting or handling equipment declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 114 thousand units, corresponding to a solid year-on-year decrease of 20.3%. From 2017 to 2020, imports dropped by 33.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -12.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Italy in kind, 2017-2020, K unit

From 2017 to 2020, Germany (24.8% of imports in kind), China (24.1%), and Sweden (10.0%) were the main sources for imports in kind, together representing 58.9% of total 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 imports of forklifts and other works trucks fitted with lifting or handling equipment fell for the second year in a row. In 2020, import volume reached 630 million US dollars, constituting a strong decline of 18.0% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 8.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.0%. The peak value was in 2018 at 774 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 12.1%.

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

During 2017-2020, Germany (55.3% of imports in value terms), France (9.0%), and Sweden (8.9%) formed the main group of sources for imports in value terms to Italy, with a combined share of 73.1% of total flows.

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

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