Knitted track suits, ski suits and swimwear market in Portugal

Earlier Report Observations

The Portuguese market for knitted track suits, ski suits and swimwear expanded from $27.6 million in 2018 to $28.5 million in 2019, driven by new players entering the sportswear segment and investments in modernizing local production facilities. Output rose sharply from $13.5 million to $20.2 million over the same period, reflecting increased domestic manufacturing capacity.

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted distribution channels and shifted consumer preferences toward comfort and functionality, contributing to a 10% market contraction to $25.7 million in 2020. A steeper decline followed in 2021, when the market fell to $17.5 million as exports surged by 47% to $29.0 million, supported by government export incentives and regulatory adaptations emphasizing sustainability and circular economy principles.

By 2023, the market size had declined slightly to $16.7 million, while imports recovered to $35.7 million and exports reached $32.2 million. Through 2025, export values remained strong, exceeding $32.5 million, partly due to mandatory transparency and labeling rules adopted in 2022 that aligned Portuguese textile products with international sustainability demands.

Production knitted track suits, ski suits and swimwear in Portugal

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In Portugal, the output value of knitted track suits, ski suits and swimwear reached 19 003 thousand US dollars in 2021, marking a slight increase of 3.0% compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2018 to 2021, production grew by 40.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 12.1%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 20 176 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest increase of 49.5% during this period. In contrast, 2020 experienced the most significant decline of 8.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Portugal in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In kind, 2018-2021, K unit

Production of knitted track suits, ski suits and swimwear in Portugal has declined for the third consecutive year. In 2021, output stood at 527 thousand units, showing a dramatic year-over-year decrease of 72.4%. Over the four-year period from 2018 to 2021, production fell by 78.7%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 40.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Portugal in kind, 2018-2021, K unit

Exports knitted track suits, ski suits and swimwear from Portugal

Exports in kind, K unit

After two years of decline, exports of knitted track suits, ski suits and swimwear from Portugal increased in 2021. The export volume reached 2 104 thousand units, representing a 30.3% advance compared to the prior year. However, over the full period from 2018 to 2021, exports decreased by 22.5%, with an annualized rate of decline of 8.1%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2020 at 1 615 thousand units, following the largest decline of 37.8% in 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Portugal in kind, 2018-2021, K unit

From 2018 to 2021, Spain, France, and the United Kingdom remained the principal buyers of knitted track suits, ski suits and swimwear from Portugal in volume terms. Spain accounted for 31.8% of exports, France for 11.8%, and the United Kingdom for 11.4%. Together, these three countries represented 54.9% of Portugal's total exports in kind during this period.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Portugal in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

Following a two-year contraction, the value of knitted track suits, ski suits and swimwear exports from Portugal rebounded in 2021. Exports totaled 28 967 thousand US dollars, showing a strong increase of 47.4% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, export value grew by 11.6%, with an annualized growth rate of 3.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 19 657 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 16.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Portugal in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Between 2018 and 2021, Spain, the United Kingdom, and France stood out as the main markets for Portugal's exports of knitted track suits, ski suits and swimwear in value terms. Spain accounted for 23.0% of export value, the United Kingdom for 14.5%, and France for 13.3%. Collectively, these three countries represented 50.8% of Portugal's total export flows during this period.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Portugal in value, 2018-2021

Imports knitted track suits, ski suits and swimwear to Portugal

Imports in kind, K unit

In 2021, Portugal's imports of knitted track suits, ski suits and swimwear reached 4 305 thousand units, showing a modest rise of 0.9% compared to the prior year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports decreased by 14.8%, with an average annual decline rate of 5.2%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2020 at 4 268 thousand units, which saw the largest decline of 28.7%. In contrast, 2019 recorded the highest volume at 5 986 thousand units, with the largest increase of 18.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Portugal in kind, 2018-2021, K unit

From 2018 to 2021, Spain, France, and China were the main sources of knitted track suits, ski suits and swimwear imports to Portugal in volume terms. Spain accounted for 30.8% of imports, France for 18.6%, and China for 15.8%. Together, these three countries absorbed 65.2% of Portugal's total imports in kind during this period.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Portugal in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of contraction, Portugal's imports of knitted track suits, ski suits and swimwear increased in value in 2021. Imports totaled 27 472 thousand US dollars, representing a 2.1% gain compared to 2020. However, over the full period from 2018 to 2021, import value decreased by 31.4%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 11.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 26 901 thousand US dollars, following the largest decline of 20.7% in 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Portugal in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Between 2018 and 2021, Spain, France, and Italy were the main suppliers of knitted track suits, ski suits and swimwear to Portugal in value terms. Spain accounted for 34.8% of import value, France for 17.7%, and Italy for 8.6%. Collectively, these three countries comprised 61.1% of Portugal's total imports in value terms during this period.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Portugal in value, 2018-2021