Women's knitted trousers and shorts market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

The Italian market for women's knitted trousers and shorts opened the 2018–2024 period at a high of 98.5 million units in 2018, driven by a strong consumer trend toward purchasing more women's trousers and a rising interest in knitting and crocheting among younger generations, which supported demand. Market volume then contracted over the next two years, falling to 64.5 million units by 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic severely disrupted textile production and distribution channels, although interest in hand-knitted items remained steady through online communities.

A recovery began in 2021, with the market expanding to 81.7 million units after yarn for knitting and crochet was included in Italy's official consumer price index basket, highlighting the sector's economic relevance and likely bolstering consumer and market attention. Growth continued into 2022, reaching 91.6 million units, aided by the introduction of a new national collective labor agreement for the textile and apparel industry that updated wage and negotiation rules, alongside new mandatory fiber composition labeling for trousers and workwear, which may have improved production stability and consumer confidence.

After a decline to 74.2 million units in 2023, a year marked by the EU's advancing strategy for sustainable and circular textiles and the spread of sustainable knitting practices in Italian fashion, the market rebounded to 82.1 million units in 2024. This recovery coincided with the EU's Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation setting future traceability rules, a €15 million Italian government fund to support the green and digital transition of textile firms, and the renewal of the industry collective labor agreement offering greater flexibility and welfare benefits for producers.

Production women's knitted trousers and shorts in Italy

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Italy's production of women's knitted trousers and shorts has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, output reached 77 530 thousand US dollars, marking a significant 17.0% increase compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 66.7%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 18.6%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K unit

The market showed notable fluctuations during this period. Production peaked in 2018 at 4 522 thousand units, then fell to its lowest point in 2020 at 2 476 thousand units, representing a 1.8-fold difference. In 2020, output contracted sharply by 22.4% from 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping 29.4%, while the biggest increase was in 2018, surging 80.7%.

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

Exports women's knitted trousers and shorts from Italy

Exports in kind, M unit

In 2020, Italy's exports of women's knitted trousers and shorts totaled 24.4 million units, down 8.1% from 2019. The peak was in 2019 at 26.6 million units, which also saw the largest increase of 7.8%. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Italy in kind, 2017-2020, M unit

From 2017 to 2020, Italy's exports in kind were widely distributed across countries. France accounted for 12.6% of exports, Spain for 10.6%, and Germany for 8.2%, together making up just 31.4% of total flows. The remaining 68.6% was spread among numerous other destinations.

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

Italy's exports of women's knitted trousers and shorts in value terms have increased for three consecutive years. In 2020, export value reached 319.5 million US dollars, up 3.8% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 34.3%, equivalent to an average annual rate of 10.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy's exports in value terms were not concentrated in a few key markets. France represented 12.5% of exports, Germany 10.7%, and Spain 8.2%, together accounting for only 31.5% of total flows.

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

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

Imports women's knitted trousers and shorts to Italy

Imports in kind, M unit

Italy's imports of women's knitted trousers and shorts in kind have declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports stood at 118.6 million units, down 13.1% from 2019. The highest level was in 2018 at 118.6 million units, which also saw the largest increase of 9.9%. The biggest drop occurred in 2019, falling 16.2%. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 19.9%, with an average annual decline of 7.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Italy in kind, 2017-2020, M unit

From 2017 to 2020, the main suppliers of women's knitted trousers and shorts to Italy in kind were Bangladesh, accounting for 24.4% of imports, France with 18.4%, and Spain with 8.9%. Together, these three countries made up 51.6% of total imports.

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

Italy's imports of women's knitted trousers and shorts in value terms have fallen for two consecutive years. In 2020, imports amounted to 450.3 million US dollars, a 6.5% decrease from 2019. The peak was in 2018 at 591.9 million US dollars, which also recorded the largest increase of 25.3%. The most significant decline was in 2019, dropping 18.6%. Over the period 2017-2020, imports decreased by 4.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy's imports in value terms came from a diverse set of markets. France was the largest source at 21.9% of imports, followed by Bangladesh at 12.4%, and Spain at 8.6%. Together, these three accounted for 42.9% of total imports, with the remaining 57.1% spread across many smaller destinations.

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

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