Woven cotton fabrics market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

The Italian woven cotton fabrics market opened the period at 516.8 million m² in 2018, but saw a contraction to 423.8 million m² by 2020, accompanied by a drop in domestic production from 247.5 million m² to 168.1 million m². This overall decline in market volume occurred alongside the renewal of the national collective labor agreement for textile and garment artisans, which specifically highlighted traditional cotton and wool processing, potentially providing some stability to production operations during the initial phase.

A partial recovery brought the market to 453.9 million m² in physical terms in 2021, even as its value fell to 404 million US dollars. Import volumes grew significantly, peaking at 537.4 million m² in 2022, a trend supported by the EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles and a heightened focus on organic and recycled cotton. These regulatory and consumer preference shifts stimulated demand for more sustainable fabrics, which was reflected in increased import activity during these years.

From 2023 onward, the market contracted sharply, with imports falling to 394.3 million m² by 2024 and exports also declining. This period coincided with a reported increase in bankruptcy procedures for textile products, indicating sector-wide difficulties. Concurrently, the implementation of mandatory separate textile waste collection and extended producer responsibility schemes, along with innovations in fabric traceability and digitalization, began to reshape industry practices and compliance requirements.

Production woven cotton fabrics in Italy

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, Italy's output of woven cotton fabrics was valued at 729 million US dollars, marking an 18.9% year-over-year decline. From 2017 to 2020, production fell by 45%, with an annualized decrease of 18.1%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, M m²

In 2020, Italy produced 168.1 million square meters of woven cotton fabrics, showing a moderate 9.1% drop compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production decreased by 38.3%, which translates to an annualized rate of 14.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Italy in kind, 2017-2020, M m²

Exports woven cotton fabrics from Italy

Exports in kind, M m²

Italy's exports of woven cotton fabrics declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country exported 184.3 million square meters, reflecting a sharp 22.9% decrease from the year before. From 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 31.9%, with an annualized decline of 12.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Italy in kind, 2017-2020, M m²

Between 2017 and 2020, Tunisia, Romania, and Germany were among the largest buyers of woven cotton fabrics from Italy, accounting for 10.9%, 9.7%, and 8.3% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, they represented just 28.9% of total exports, indicating a broadly diversified partner base.

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 woven cotton fabrics in value terms declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 775 million US dollars, down 25.7% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 34.4%, with an annualized rate of 13.1%.

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 spread across a wide range of partner countries. Romania, Tunisia, and Germany accounted for 9.1%, 8.9%, and 8.2% of exports in value, respectively, jointly making up just 26.2% 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 woven cotton fabrics to Italy

Imports in kind, M m²

Italy's imports of woven cotton fabrics in kind declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 440.0 million square meters, a significant 10.2% drop from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 23.7%, with an annualized rate of 8.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Italy in kind, 2017-2020, M m²

From 2017 to 2020, Pakistan, China, and Turkey were the main sources of Italy's imports in kind, representing 36.3%, 18.8%, and 14.2% of imports, respectively. Together, they accounted for 69.3% of total 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

Italy's imports of woven cotton fabrics in value terms declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 525 million US dollars, down 16.1% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 30.3%, with an annualized decrease of 11.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Pakistan, China, and Turkey were the primary suppliers of woven cotton fabrics to Italy in value terms, accounting for 20.1%, 19.2%, and 15.8% of imports, respectively. Together, they comprised 55.1% of total imports in value.

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

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