Knitted pantyhose and tights market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

The Italian market for knitted pantyhose and tights began the period with a high volume of 606 million units in 2018, supported by concentrated production in the Castel Goffredo industrial district and strong performance from major players like Calzedonia. Market volume contracted to 418 million units by 2019, a period when online sales began gaining significant share. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 triggered a crisis in the hosiery segment, with a sharp 24% annual drop in exports contributing to a rise in domestic market volume to 568 million units as less production was directed abroad.

In 2021, the onset of the Russia-Ukraine conflict pressured energy and raw material costs, leading to higher prices and a decline in physical consumption to 390 million units, though market value increased. Persistent uncertainty from raw material price fluctuations in 2022 further reduced market volume to 234 million units, despite double-digit sales growth reported by some multinational fashion groups and innovations like recycled material lines.

Market volume stabilized near 229 million units in 2023 with a marginal decrease, while value rose to 200 million USD. A recovery followed in 2024, with volume growing to 320 million units and value increasing to 258 million USD.

Production knitted pantyhose and tights in Italy

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Italy's knitted pantyhose and tights production declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 496.6 million US dollars, marking a 15.3% decrease from the previous year. Production fell by 20.9% between 2017 and 2020, which translates to an annualized decline of 7.5%. The peak value occurred in 2018 at 684.3 million US dollars, with the largest increase that year of 8.9%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, M unit

In 2020, Italy produced 757.8 million units of knitted pantyhose and tights, showing a strong 12.9% increase compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 15.7%, averaging a 5.0% annualized growth rate. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 859.7 million units. The largest decline happened in 2019 at 22.0%, while the biggest increase was in 2018 at 31.3%.

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

Exports knitted pantyhose and tights from Italy

Exports in kind, M unit

Italy's knitted pantyhose and tights export volumes fell for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 289.8 million units, representing a sharp 24.0% drop from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 30%, with an annualized decline of 11.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, no single market dominated Italy's knitted pantyhose and tights exports. Croatia accounted for 14.1% of export volumes, the United Kingdom for 13.6%, and Serbia for 10.7%, together making up 38.3% of total exports. Many smaller partners each held modest individual shares.

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 knitted pantyhose and tights exports declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 355.8 million US dollars, equivalent to a solid 20.9% year-over-year decrease. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 26.8%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -9.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Italy's knitted pantyhose and tights exports in value terms were widely distributed across markets. Croatia represented 18.9% of export value, Germany 11.6%, and the United Kingdom 11.5%, together accounting for only 42.0% of total flows.

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

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

Imports knitted pantyhose and tights to Italy

Imports in kind, M unit

Italy's knitted pantyhose and tights imports declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 99.7 million units, indicating a robust 22.2% decrease from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 29.7%, with a CAGR of -11.1%.

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

During 2017-2020, Serbia, Slovakia, and Croatia were the main suppliers of knitted pantyhose and tights to Italy. Serbia accounted for 44.9% of import volumes, Slovakia for 17.5%, and Croatia for 11.7%, jointly making up 74.2% of total imports.

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 knitted pantyhose and tights imports from abroad declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 97.9 million US dollars, reflecting a sharp 26.7% year-over-year contraction. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 30.7%, equating to an annualized decline of 11.5%.

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

Over 2017-2020, Serbia, Croatia, and Slovakia were the primary suppliers of knitted pantyhose and tights to Italy in value terms. Serbia represented 35.9% of import value, Croatia 24.4%, and Slovakia 10.7%, together comprising 71.0% of total imports.

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

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