Made up fishing nets of man-made textile materials market in Ireland

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2021, the Irish market for made-up fishing nets saw the physical volume rise to over 2,000 t in 2019, then contract before recovering to 2,077 t in 2021. This activity occurred within a regulatory framework that included the Fisheries Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014, which restricted the use of certain synthetic fibre nets in freshwater fishing, establishing boundaries for permissible gear.

Measured in value, the market grew from $13.5 million in 2018 to a high of nearly $18.0 million in 2022, before easing to $17.1 million in 2023. This later phase aligned with a reported decline in exports of these nets from the broader European Union market, indicating external pressures. Concurrently, global sustainability movements, particularly the recycling of end-of-life nets into regenerated nylon like Econyl, began to influence material sourcing and industry practices.

In 2024, new inland fisheries regulations came into effect in Ireland, including bye-laws that restrict draft and snap net fishing for salmon and sea trout and prohibit eel fishing altogether. These rules, coupled with new spatial restrictions on fishing gear in marine protected areas, directly shape the operational demand for specific types of fishing nets by altering legal fishing practices.

Production made up fishing nets of man-made textile materials in Ireland

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Ireland's production of made-up fishing nets from man-made textile materials declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 12 403 thousand US dollars, down 4.5% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 51.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 14.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 13 691 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 67.5%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 5.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Ireland in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, t

After two years of growth, Ireland's production of made-up fishing nets from man-made textile materials declined. In 2020, output reached 1 701 tonnes, a gradual decrease of 6.2% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production increased by 8.2%, translating to an average annual rate of 2.7%. The peak was in 2019 at 1 814 tonnes, which also experienced the largest increase of 14.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Ireland in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports made up fishing nets of man-made textile materials from Ireland

Exports in kind, t

Ireland's exports of made-up fishing nets from man-made textile materials declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 83.5 tonnes, reflecting a sharp decline of 51.8% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 68.9%, with an average annual decline of 32.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom was the dominant buyer of made-up fishing nets from man-made textile materials from Ireland, accounting for 94.5% of total exports in volume terms.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Ireland's exports of made-up fishing nets from man-made textile materials declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 1 093 thousand US dollars, a sharp reduction of 49.2% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 56%, with an average annual decline of 23.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 2 702 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 8.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom concentrated the majority of Ireland's exports in value terms for made-up fishing nets from man-made textile materials, with a share of 93.4% of total flows.

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

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

Imports made up fishing nets of man-made textile materials to Ireland

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Ireland's imports of made-up fishing nets from man-made textile materials amounted to 171.5 tonnes, a 55.6% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 52.4%, with an average annual decline of 21.9%. The peak was in 2019 at 386.3 tonnes, which also experienced the largest increase of 26.6%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the three largest markets for imports in volume terms were the United Kingdom, Spain, and Lithuania, together accounting for 72.3% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Ireland's imports of made-up fishing nets from man-made textile materials declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 1 209 thousand US dollars, a sharp decrease of 45.2% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 50.8%, equating to an average annual decline of 21.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 2 524 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 2.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom (28.8% of imports in value terms), Lithuania (26.3%), and Spain (15.2%) together accounted for 70.2% of total imports in value terms, serving as the main sources for made-up fishing nets from man-made textile materials to Ireland.

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

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