Testliner market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2019, the Italian testliner market expanded in physical volume from 946 thousand tonnes to 969 thousand tonnes, while its market value contracted from $504 million to $408 million. This divergence was driven by competitive import pressure, as rising shipments from Germany—the EU's leading exporter—and competition from Austrian suppliers pushed down average testliner prices in Italy, supporting consumption growth in volume terms despite lower overall expenditure.

Following stabilization around 964 thousand tonnes in 2020, the market entered a period of pronounced cyclicality. A sharp upswing occurred in 2021–2022, with consumption volume rising 29% to 1.24 million tonnes and market value nearly tripling to $929 million. A correction followed in 2023, as volume fell 17% to 1.03 million tonnes and value dropped 37%. The period concluded with a new physical volume record of 1.31 million tonnes in 2024, while market value recovered moderately to $634 million, suggesting a return of competitive price dynamics.

Production testliner in Italy

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In Italy, the value of testliner production reached 242.8 million US dollars in 2020, marking a 6.5% increase compared to 2019. However, looking at the broader period from 2018 to 2020, production actually declined by 5.4%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 1.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 228.0 million US dollars, with the largest year-over-year drop of 11.2% occurring that same year.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Italy's testliner production grew for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 671.6 thousand tonnes of testliner, representing a significant 15.9% increase from the previous year. Over the three-year span from 2018 to 2020, production rose by 25.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.0%.

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

Exports testliner from Italy

Exports in kind, K t

The market showed considerable volatility throughout the period. Exports hit their lowest point in 2018 at 30.7 thousand tonnes and peaked in 2020 at 133.9 thousand tonnes, resulting in a 4.4-fold difference between these years. In 2020, the volume of testliner leaving Italy surged by 309.2% compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 27.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China, Greece, and Algeria were the top buyers of Italian testliner in volume terms, accounting for 20.6%, 11.9%, and 6.8% of exports, respectively. Together, these three countries made up 39.3% of total exports, while the remaining share was distributed among a wide range of smaller trading partners.

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

The market exhibited high volatility during these years. Exports reached their lowest value in 2019 at 12.8 million US dollars and peaked in 2020 at 46.6 million US dollars, showing a 3.6-fold variation. In 2020, the value of testliner exports from Italy jumped by 264.9% year-over-year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, with a decrease of 25.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the geographical distribution of testliner exports in value terms was highly diversified. China, Greece, and France were the leading destinations, contributing 15.0%, 12.2%, and 6.9% of total export value, respectively. Combined, these three countries accounted for 34.1% of exports, with the remaining 65.9% spread across numerous smaller partner nations.

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

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

Imports testliner to Italy

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Italy imported 425.9 thousand tonnes of testliner, a slight increase of 0.9% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 13.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.3%. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 443.4 thousand tonnes, while the largest decline of 4.8% occurred in 2019. The most significant increase was in 2018, with an 18.2% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Austria, and France were the primary sources of testliner imports into Italy in volume terms. Germany accounted for 38.8% of imports, Austria for 24.0%, and France for 8.9%. Together, these three countries represented 71.8% of total import flows.

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

Testliner imports into Italy declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Italy imported 171.9 million US dollars worth of testliner, which was 10.6% lower than the previous year. Over the four-year period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 9.1%, with a compound annual decline of 3.1%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 264.5 million US dollars, while the largest drop of 27.3% happened in 2019. The most notable increase was in 2018, with a 39.9% rise.

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

During 2017 to 2020, Germany, Austria, and France dominated Italy's testliner imports in value terms. Germany led with 40.2% of imports, followed by Austria at 22.5%, and France at 7.5%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 70.2% of total import value.

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

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