Tulles and other net fabrics and lace in the piece, in strips or in motifs excluding knitted or crocheted fabrics market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

The Italian market for tulles and other net fabrics shrank considerably between 2018 and 2020, falling from 125.5 million USD to 66.4 million USD. This contraction occurred alongside industry efforts to enhance innovation and product specialization, with district fashion chains seen as ideal testbeds for circular production models. The EU's 2020 Circular Economy Action Plan further highlighted textiles as a key sector for sustainable transition.

A partial rebound to 82.8 million USD in 2021 was followed by another decline to 69.9 million USD in 2022. During this period, Italy introduced mandatory separate collection of textile waste from January 2022, ahead of EU-wide requirements. The European Union published its Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles, pushing for reduced hazardous substances and extended producer responsibility rules. Growing consumer awareness of environmental issues also shifted demand toward more sustainable fabric options, altering market dynamics.

Post-2022, the sector showed signs of adjustment; employment rose by 2% in 2023 compared to 2021, indicating recovery from the pandemic's impact. In 2024, a 10 million euro fund was created to support green and technological transition in textiles, fashion, and accessories, while the EU started implementing mandatory eco-design standards for certain textile categories, with stricter export controls and a future ban on destroying unsold clothing.

Production tulles, net fabrics and lace in Italy

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Italy's production of tulles, net fabrics, and lace (excluding knitted or crocheted fabrics) declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 90.0 million US dollars, marking a 31.1% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2018-2020 period, production fell by 40.4%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -15.8%.

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

Exports tulles, net fabrics and lace from Italy

Exports in kind, t

Italy's exports of tulles, net fabrics, and lace (excluding knitted or crocheted fabrics) declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 627 tonnes, a 30.9% drop compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 41.1%, with a CAGR of -16.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy's exports of tulles, net fabrics, and lace (excluding knitted or crocheted fabrics) were widely distributed across markets. Sri Lanka accounted for 22.7% of exports, Serbia for 12.8%, and Senegal for 7.8%, with these three countries together making up only 43.3% of total export flows.

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

Italy's exports of tulles, net fabrics, and lace (excluding knitted or crocheted fabrics) declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 37 195 thousand US dollars, a sharp 25.9% decrease from the prior year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 32.1%, with a CAGR of -12.1%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 57 839 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 5.6%.

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

During 2017-2020, Sri Lanka (21.1% of exports by value), France (11.1%), and Serbia (9.8%) were key buyers of Italy's tulles, net fabrics, and lace (excluding knitted or crocheted fabrics). However, their combined share reached only 42.0% of total export value, with the remaining 58.0% spread across numerous other partners.

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

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

Imports tulles, net fabrics and lace to Italy

Imports in kind, t

Italy's imports of tulles, net fabrics, and lace (excluding knitted or crocheted fabrics) declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports were approximately 613 tonnes, a 54.8% drop compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 69.5%, with a CAGR of -32.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China was the dominant supplier of tulles, net fabrics, and lace (excluding knitted or crocheted fabrics) to Italy, accounting for 75.6% of total imports by volume, while other countries shared the remainder.

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 tulles, net fabrics, and lace (excluding knitted or crocheted fabrics) declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 13 593 thousand US dollars, which is 53.5% less than the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 67.5%, with a CAGR of -31.2%.

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

In 2017-2020, France (39.5% of imports by value), China (38.6%), and Turkey (8.2%) led the list of suppliers of tulles, net fabrics, and lace (excluding knitted or crocheted fabrics) to Italy, jointly accounting for 86.3% 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