Natural cork corks and stoppers market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the Italian natural cork corks and stoppers market grew from 4 897 t to 6 252 t in 2019, driven by industry investments in sustainability and product quality that strengthened consumer preference for natural materials. The market then contracted to 5 922 t in 2020 as the Covid-19 pandemic slowed demand.

A sharp decline to 3 675 t followed in 2021, a year when companies continued to invest in research to reduce TCA contamination and introduced new lubrication technologies for long-aging wines. The market rebounded to 5 250 t in 2022, supported by Amorim Cork Italia's expansion of production capacity and improved logistics, even as a severe drought in the Mediterranean reduced cork oak harvests and increased raw material prices.

Market volume eased to 5 053 t in 2023 and fell to 3 396 t in 2024. This period saw the industry adapting to the EU directive requiring attached caps on single-use plastic bottles, effective July 2024, and the introduction of innovative hybrid closures like Amorim's Helix® targeting new market segments.

Production natural cork corks and stoppers in Italy

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2019, Italy's production of natural cork corks and stoppers reached its peak value of 131.2 million US dollars, marking a significant 29.7% increase from the previous year. However, output declined to 108.8 million US dollars in 2020, down 17.1% year-over-year. The lowest value in the 2017-2020 period was recorded in 2018 at 101.2 million US dollars. Overall, production grew by 5.1% over these four years, with an average annual growth rate of 1.7%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Italy's production of natural cork corks and stoppers peaked in 2019 at 4,323 tonnes, representing a substantial 42.6% increase from the previous year. In 2020, output fell to 3,794 tonnes, a sharp 12.2% decline year-over-year. The lowest volume in the 2017-2020 period was recorded in 2018 at 3,032 tonnes. Over the four-year span, production increased by 20%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.3%.

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

Exports natural cork corks and stoppers from Italy

Exports in kind, t

Italy's exports of natural cork corks and stoppers have declined for three consecutive years. In 2020, export volume stood at 518 tonnes, a significant 16.1% drop from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 48%, with an average annual decline of 19.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China was the leading destination for Italy's natural cork corks and stoppers exports in volume terms, accounting for 44.7% of total flows. Portugal followed with 12.3%, and Spain with 7.0%. Together, these three markets represented 64.0% of Italy's export volume during this period.

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, K $ US

After two years of decline, Italy's exports of natural cork corks and stoppers in value terms increased in 2020 to 12,705 thousand US dollars, up 3.6% from 2019. The lowest value in the 2017-2020 period was recorded in 2019 at 12,258 thousand US dollars, which represented a 19.0% decline from the previous year. Overall, exports decreased by 25.3% over the four-year span, with an average annual decline of 9.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy's exports of natural cork corks and stoppers in value terms were distributed across a diverse set of partners. China led with 27.2% of total value, followed by France at 13.4% and Spain at 9.3%. These three markets combined accounted for 50.0% of total flows, while the remaining 50.0% was spread among numerous smaller markets.

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

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

Imports natural cork corks and stoppers to Italy

Imports in kind, t

After two years of contraction, Italy's imports of natural cork corks and stoppers in volume terms increased in 2020 to 2,646 tonnes, up 3.9% year-over-year. The lowest volume in the 2017-2020 period was recorded in 2019 at 2,547 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a 10.0% drop. Overall, imports decreased by 8.6% over the four-year span, with an average annual decline of 2.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Portugal and Spain dominated Italy's imports of natural cork corks and stoppers in volume terms, jointly accounting for 91.2% of total flows. Other partners made up the remaining share.

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, K $ US

Italy's imports of natural cork corks and stoppers in value terms declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 42,425 thousand US dollars, a solid 15.3% contraction compared to the previous year. The highest value in the 2017-2020 period was recorded in 2018 at 57,490 thousand US dollars, which represented a 1.0% increase from the previous year. Overall, imports decreased by 25.5% over the four-year span, with an average annual decline of 9.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Portugal was the primary source for Italy's imports of natural cork corks and stoppers in value terms, accounting for 79.8% of total flows. Other markets formed a long tail of smaller partners.

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

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