Insulated wire and optical fibre cables market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018, Italy's insulated wire and cable production and market volume were influenced by a series of regulatory updates. The mandatory CE marking under the CPR Regulation effective July 2017 and subsequent revisions to the Norma CEI 64-8 required manufacturers to adapt products to new fire reaction standards, initially leading to adjustments in production processes. However, the ARERA 2016 ruling on specifications for smart meters stimulated demand for cables for smart-metering networks, contributing to a notable rise in production to 1 145 thousand tons and market volume to 879 thousand tons in 2020.

Continued regulatory pressure, including the introduction of new fire reaction classes in the Norma CEI 64-8 and harmonization with EN 50575, maintained compliance requirements. Furthermore, the adoption of Decreto Ministeriale n. 450 in 2024, which updated the electricity capacity market rules, spurred investment in transmission infrastructure, driving production to a peak of 1 340 thousand tons and market volume to 1 043 thousand tons in 2022.

By 2023, production faced a slowdown due to reduced investment in the construction sector and rising costs for raw materials such as copper and aluminum, leading to a contraction in output and market volume. In 2024, the enforcement of stricter insulation and fire reaction requirements under the ninth edition of Norma CEI 64-8, alongside the EU electricity market reform, continued to shape the industry, while key players launched new high-performance cable lines oriented towards renewable energy and smart-grid applications.

Production insulated wire and optical fibre cables in Italy

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In Italy, the production value of insulated wire and optical fibre cables reached 6 183 million US dollars in 2020, marking a significant 11.2% increase compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 4.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 5 560 million US dollars, while the peak occurred in 2018 at 6 717 million US dollars. The most substantial decline was observed in 2019, with a drop of 17.2%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Following a two-year decline, insulated wire and optical fibre cables production in Italy rebounded in 2020. The country produced 1 145 thousand tonnes that year, reflecting a significant 16.9% increase from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, overall production grew by 6.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 2.1%. The lowest output was recorded in 2019 at 980 thousand tonnes, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 5.4% decrease.

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

Exports insulated wire and optical fibre cables from Italy

Exports in kind, K t

After two consecutive years of growth, Italy's exports of insulated wire and optical fibre cables declined in 2020. Exports amounted to 411.9 thousand tonnes that year, showing a solid decrease of 12.7% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 7.4%, which translates to an annualized rate of 2.5%. The peak export volume was recorded in 2019 at 472.0 thousand tonnes, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 4.0% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, France, and the United Kingdom were the principal destinations for Italy's exports of insulated wire and optical fibre cables in volume terms. Germany accounted for 28.4% of exports, France for 15.7%, and the United Kingdom for 5.9%. Together, these three countries represented 50.0% of total export flows during this period.

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 cross-border shipments of insulated wire and optical fibre cables declined for the second consecutive year in 2020. The export value stood at 2 973 million US dollars, amounting to a decrease of 13.7% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 8.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 3 582 million US dollars, while the largest increase occurred that same year with a 10.5% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, France, and the United Kingdom formed the largest group of buyers for Italy's insulated wire and optical fibre cables in value terms. Germany accounted for 23.8% of exports, France for 12.6%, and the United Kingdom for 6.3%. However, their combined contribution was limited to 42.7% of total exports, reflecting a diversified country structure in the market.

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

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

Imports insulated wire and optical fibre cables to Italy

Imports in kind, K t

Italy's imports of insulated wire and optical fibre cables declined for the second consecutive year in 2020. The country imported 176.0 thousand tonnes that year, indicating a strong decrease of 12.2% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 15%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.3%. The peak import volume was recorded in 2018 at 176.0 thousand tonnes, while the largest increase occurred that same year with a 2.6% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the partner structure for Italy's imports of insulated wire and optical fibre cables in volume terms was balanced rather than concentrated. Germany accounted for 14.1% of imports, China for 13.4%, and Spain for 12.7%. Together, these three countries represented 40.1% of total flows, with many other countries accounting for the remaining 59.9%.

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 import volume of insulated wire and optical fibre cables declined for the second consecutive year in 2020. The country imported a total of 1 903 million US dollars worth of these products, representing a limited decrease of 7.1% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 7.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 2.6%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 2 229 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with an 8.1% drop, while the largest increase was in 2018 with an 8.3% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the partner portfolio for Italy's imports of insulated wire and optical fibre cables in value terms was quite broad. Germany accounted for 14.0% of imports, Tunisia for 11.7%, and China for 9.7%. Together, these three countries represented only 35.4% of total flows, indicating a wide distribution among various trading partners.

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

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