Knitted jerseys and pullovers market in Spain, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

The market for knitted jerseys and pullovers in Spain expanded from 139.9 million units in 2018 to 151.6 million units in 2019, reaching a value of 766 million US dollars. This growth was interrupted in 2020 when the market volume contracted to 113.5 million units, driven by supply chain disruptions and raw material shortages across the Spanish textile industry due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Following the pandemic, the sector experienced a sustained shift towards online fashion sales, which reached 9.3% of value in 2021 and continued to grow through 2024, surpassing market shares in France and Italy. This digital expansion supported import volumes, which rose to 377.2 million units in 2022. At the same time, new circular economy regulations under Law 7/2022 on waste and contaminated soils introduced extended producer responsibility for textiles, affecting market practices. Import volumes dipped to 334.5 million units in 2023 as brands prepared for stricter rules under a draft Royal Decree that mandates separate collection of textile waste. By 2024, online sales channels remained strong, but the sector faced an 89% increase in insolvencies in early 2024.

Throughout the period, Spanish textile policy increasingly focused on sustainability and circularity, with European and domestic regulations on ecodesign, traceability, and extended producer responsibility pushing brands to extend garment lifespans and reduce waste. This regulatory push, coupled with the rise of second-hand resale platforms, reshaped production and consumption patterns in the knitted apparel market.

Production knitted jerseys and pullovers in Spain

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Spain's production of knitted jerseys and pullovers in monetary terms declined after two years of growth. In 2019, output reached its peak at 165.0 million US dollars, but by 2020 it had fallen to 143.5 million US dollars, marking a significant 13.0% decrease from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 9.9%, which translates to an annualized decline of 3.4%. The largest annual increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 2.5%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K unit

Spain's production volume of knitted jerseys and pullovers declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, output stood at 9.7 million units, representing a 21.2% decrease compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production fell by 31.8%, equating to an annualized decline of 12.0%.

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

Exports knitted jerseys and pullovers from Spain

Exports in kind, M unit

After two years of growth, Spain's export volume of knitted jerseys and pullovers declined. In 2019, exports peaked at 195.7 million units, but by 2020 they had dropped to 182.9 million units, a 6.5% decrease year-over-year. The largest annual increase was recorded in 2019, with a rise of 7.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Spain in kind, 2017-2020, M unit

From 2017 to 2020, Spain's export structure for knitted jerseys and pullovers in volume terms remained highly diversified. The top three destinations—France (13.4% of exports), Italy (12.5%), and Portugal (10.9%)—together accounted for only 36.7% of total flows. The remaining 63.3% was distributed among a wide range of smaller markets.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Spain's export value of knitted jerseys and pullovers declined after two years of growth. In 2019, exports reached their highest point at 1 642 million US dollars, but by 2020 they had fallen to 1 522 million US dollars, a 7.3% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 2.9%, which translates to an annualized decline of 1.0%. The largest annual increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 3.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain's knitted jerseys and pullovers were exported to numerous countries, with the market structure remaining diverse. Even the largest destinations—France, Italy, and Portugal—together represented only 34.6% of total exports in value terms.

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

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

Imports knitted jerseys and pullovers to Spain

Imports in kind, M unit

After two years of growth, Spain's import volume of knitted jerseys and pullovers declined. In 2019, imports peaked at 335.0 million units, but by 2020 they had dropped to 286.7 million units, a 14.4% decrease year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 3.0%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -1.0%. The largest annual increase was recorded in 2019, with a rise of 8.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Spain in kind, 2017-2020, M unit

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Bangladesh (26.8% of imports in volume), China (25.4%), and Turkey (15.2%) were the key partners for Spain's imports of knitted jerseys and pullovers. Together, these three countries accounted for 67.4% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Spain's import value of knitted jerseys and pullovers declined after two years of growth. In 2019, imports reached their highest point at 2 243 million US dollars, but by 2020 they had fallen to 1 981 million US dollars, a robust 11.7% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 3.1%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.0%. The largest annual increase occurred in 2018, with a rise of 11.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China (27.1% of imports in value terms), Bangladesh (19.3%), and Turkey (16.1%) were the main sources for Spain's imports of knitted jerseys and pullovers. Together, these three countries absorbed 62.5% of total import value.

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

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