Men's knitted outerwear market in Estonia

Earlier Report Observations

The Estonian men's knitted outerwear market opened the period at 160 thousand units in 2018, supported by state procurement driven by regulatory requirements for the uniforms of environmental inspectors, which included knitted coats and jackets. Despite the continuation of similar public sector uniform rules in 2019, the market volume contracted to 139 thousand units. A sharp downturn followed in 2020, with volume falling to 97 thousand units as the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted supply chains and altered consumer behavior, placing pressure on local producers and imports.

The market decline continued into 2021, reaching 79 thousand units, but foundational shifts were underway. Amendments to the Law of Obligations created more consumer-friendly conditions for purchases, while growing e-commerce demand facilitated the entry of new players and broader marketing strategies for men's knitted outerwear. These developments, combined with increased consumer purchasing power due to wage growth and a stronger labor market, propelled a robust recovery in 2022. The market volume surged by nearly 60% to 124 thousand units that year.

Following the 2022 peak, the market underwent a correction, declining to 100 thousand units in 2023. It then rebounded partially in 2024 to 119 thousand units, approaching its pre-pandemic size.

Production men's knitted outerwear in Estonia

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In 2021, the output of men's knitted outerwear in Estonia was valued at 595 thousand US dollars, marking an 18.2% decrease compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, production fell by 41.6%, which translates to an annualized decline of 16.4%. The largest drop occurred in 2019, with a 34.9% decrease, while the biggest increase was recorded in 2020, at 9.6%.

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

In kind, 2018-2021, unit

In 2021, Estonia produced 19 366 units of men's knitted outerwear, showing a sharp year-on-year decline of 28.4%. From 2018 to 2021, production decreased by 28.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 10.7%. The largest increase was observed in 2020, with a 30.5% rise.

Annual dynamics of production in Estonia in kind, 2018-2021, unit

Exports men's knitted outerwear from Estonia

Exports in kind, K unit

Following a two-year decline, Estonia's exports of men's knitted outerwear increased in 2021, reaching 41.4 thousand units. This represents a sharp gain of 33.0% compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, exports decreased by 7.6%, with an annualized rate of 2.6%. The lowest point was in 2020, at 31.1 thousand units, while the largest decline occurred in 2019, with a 22.9% drop.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Russia, Norway, and Sweden were the key partners for Estonia's exports of men's knitted outerwear in kind. Russia accounted for 27.5% of exports, Norway for 27.4%, and Sweden for 16.6%. Together, these three countries made up 71.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Estonia's export volume of men's knitted outerwear increased for the second consecutive year in 2021, reaching 1 987 thousand US dollars. This reflects a sudden rise of 40.6% from 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports grew by 37.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 11.2%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019, at 1 163 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 19.5%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Norway, Sweden, and Russia were consistently the main destinations for Estonia's exports of men's knitted outerwear in value terms. Norway accounted for 35.2% of exports, Sweden for 20.5%, and Russia for 14.1%. Collectively, these three countries represented 69.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports men's knitted outerwear to Estonia

Imports in kind, K unit

Estonia's imports of men's knitted outerwear declined for the third consecutive year in 2021, totaling 100.7 thousand units. This figure showed no significant change from the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, imports decreased by 43.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -17.3%.

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

Throughout 2018 to 2021, China, Cambodia, and Belgium were the key sources for Estonia's imports of men's knitted outerwear in kind. China accounted for 40.5% of imports, Cambodia for 7.5%, and Belgium for 6.9%. Together, these three countries made up 54.9% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After a two-year drop, Estonia's import volume of men's knitted outerwear increased in 2021, reaching 2 273 thousand US dollars. This represents a 10.7% gain compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports decreased by 54.5%, equating to an annualized decline of 23.1%. The minimum value was recorded in 2020, at 2 053 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 52.0%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, China, Vietnam, and Finland remained the main markets for Estonia's imports of men's knitted outerwear in value terms. China accounted for 48.2% of imports, Vietnam for 6.5%, and Finland for 5.2%. Jointly, these three countries took 59.9% of total import flows.

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

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