Wool yarn market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

The Italian wool yarn market volume declined sharply from 74,833 tonnes in 2018 to 37,048 tonnes in 2020. The closure of the historic Lanificio Ariete washing plant in 2018 disrupted the supply chain for domestic wool, making it harder for shepherds to deliver and commercialize local fleece, which reduced the availability of raw material and contributed to the market contraction. During this period, spinners increasingly focused on certified sustainable yarns, such as those with RWS and GOTS labels, responding to growing demand for traceable and eco-friendly products, though this shift did not offset the overall volume drop.

A partial recovery brought the market to 44,990 tonnes in 2022. This was supported by the launch of MagnoLab in Biella, a network of companies aimed at fostering innovation and rapid prototyping in the wool supply chain. Italian producers also expanded their color ranges and developed yarns with plant-based dyes, enhancing product appeal. However, the industry faced persistent challenges from international competition and a lack of processing infrastructure for Italian wool, which limited more robust growth.

By 2024, the market volume fell to 29,362 tonnes. European ecodesign regulations, which will require digital fiber passports by 2027, began shaping demand toward certified and traceable wool. Investments in automated, water-saving wool processing machinery, driven by global technological trends, aimed to improve efficiency and sustainability. Despite these developments focused on quality and compliance, the Italian wool yarn market experienced a substantial net decrease in volume over the 2018-2024 period.

Production wool yarn in Italy

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Italy's wool yarn production declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 721 million US dollars, down 24.0% from 2019. Production peaked in 2018 at 1,033 million US dollars, which represented an 8.2% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 24.4%, averaging an annual decline of 8.9%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Italy's wool yarn production volume dropped for the second consecutive year. In 2020, 40,520 tonnes were produced, a 17.0% decrease from 2019. Production reached its highest level in 2018 at 76,238 tonnes, marking a 12.8% increase from 2017. However, it fell sharply by 36.0% in 2019. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, production declined by 40.1%, with an average annual rate of 15.7%.

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

Exports wool yarn from Italy

Exports in kind, t

Italy's wool yarn exports declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 16,050 tonnes, a significant drop of 18.5% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 28.3%, averaging an annual decline of 10.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy's wool yarn exports were distributed across a wide range of partners. The top three destinations were the United Kingdom with 18.3% of exports, Hong Kong with 8.6%, and Germany with 8.1%. Together, they accounted for only 35.0% of total export volumes, indicating a diverse market portfolio.

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 wool yarn exports in value terms fell for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 455.4 million US dollars, down 19.5% year-on-year. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 619.6 million US dollars, which saw a 10.9% increase from 2017. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports declined by 18.5%, with an average annual rate of 6.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Italy's wool yarn exports in value terms were spread across numerous markets. Hong Kong was the largest destination with 13.5% of exports, followed by the United Kingdom at 9.6% and Germany at 8.8%. Combined, these three accounted for just 31.8% of total export value, with the remaining 68.2% coming from many 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 wool yarn to Italy

Imports in kind, t

Italy's wool yarn imports declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 12,577 tonnes, a sharp reduction of 26.1% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 39.6%, averaging an annual decline of 15.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy's wool yarn imports came from a broad set of suppliers. Poland led with 19.4% of imports, followed by Romania at 17.2% and Bulgaria at 13.4%. Together, these three countries made up 50.0% of total import volumes, with the other half sourced from various smaller markets.

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 wool yarn imports in value terms dropped for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports were valued at 276.5 million US dollars, a 30.4% decrease from 2019. The peak was in 2018 at 464.5 million US dollars, which represented an 11.0% increase from 2017. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 33.9%, with an average annual decline of 12.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Poland, Romania, and Bulgaria were key suppliers of wool yarn to Italy in value terms, with shares of 18.0%, 15.6%, and 14.0%, respectively. However, their combined share reached only 47.6% of total import value, highlighting a diversified supply base with many other contributors.

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

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