Wool yarn market in Finland

Earlier Report Observations

The market for wool yarn in Finland, measured in value, rose from 29.9 million $ in 2018 to 51.0 million $ in 2024. This expansion began in earnest in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic spurred heightened demand from knitters for locally produced yarn. This shift in consumer behavior provided a lasting boost, as interest in ethically sourced and domestic wool continued to strengthen in subsequent years.

Market growth was further supported by the entry of new small-scale producers, such as Idän kehräämö, which increased the availability and visibility of Finnish wool yarn. Local farms and spinners solidified their market position by offering 100% Finnish wool, catering to a growing consumer preference for sustainability and traceability. This period also saw the introduction of new product varieties, including reinforced sock yarns and a wider color palette.

Despite the rising demand, the market's potential for larger-scale industrial expansion remained limited by persistent bottlenecks in the domestic supply chain. Challenges such as insufficient wool collection infrastructure, a lack of large-scale washing facilities, and the absence of fine-combed wool yarn production constrained the volume of local manufacturing, preventing more rapid market growth in the later years of the period.

Production wool yarn in Finland

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Finland's wool yarn production value increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 18 928 K $ US, marking a solid year-over-year increase of 11.5%. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 11%, which translates to an annualized rate of 3.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 16 913 K $ US, with the largest decline that year at 0.8%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Wool yarn production in Finland increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Finland produced 706.8 t of wool yarn, representing a 3.8% increase compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production rose by 3.9%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 1.3%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 655.8 t, with the largest decline that year at 3.6%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 3.9%.

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

Exports wool yarn from Finland

Exports in kind, t

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Import levels varied significantly, with a 4.4-fold difference between the high in 2018 and the low in 2019. In 2020, Finland exported 25.2 t of wool yarn, which is 160.3% more than the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 9.7 t, while the maximum was in 2018 at 42.7 t. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 77.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the leading destinations for Finland's wool yarn exports in volume terms were Sweden, accounting for 44.1% of exports, Estonia with 22.4%, and Russia at 7.7%. Together, these three countries represented 74.2% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Finland in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Finland's wool yarn export value declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 784 K $ US, representing a 35.8% decrease compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 16.4%, which corresponds to an annualized decline of 5.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 242 K $ US, with the largest increase that year at 32.4%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Sweden, Estonia, and Russia formed the core group of markets for Finland's wool yarn exports in value terms. Sweden accounted for 32.8% of exports, Estonia for 19.7%, and Russia for 12.1%. Together, these three countries represented 64.6% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports wool yarn to Finland

Imports in kind, t

Market performance exhibited noticeable fluctuations during this period. Imports reached their highest point in 2020 and their lowest in 2019, with a 3.9-fold variation between these years. In 2020, Finland imported 849.2 t of wool yarn, amounting to a 294.1% increase year-over-year. The minimum volume was recorded in 2019 at 215.5 t, with the largest decline that year at 73.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Finland's wool yarn imports in volume terms were strongly concentrated on the United Kingdom, which accounted for 72.7% of total flows. Other partners made up the remaining volume.

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

World map of product's imports to Finland in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Finland's wool yarn import value reached 15 211 K $ US, marking a 10.1% increase compared to 2019. Over the period 2017-2020, imports grew by 12.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.0%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 2.6%.

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

Over 2017–2020, the United Kingdom, Italy, and Turkey were the primary suppliers of wool yarn to Finland in value terms. The United Kingdom accounted for 62.4% of imports, Italy for 8.0%, and Turkey for 6.0%. Together, these three countries represented 76.4% of total import flows.

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

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