In 2018, the global exports of woven woolen fabrics amounted to 90M square meters, falling by -3.8% against the previous year. In general, woolen fabric exports continue to indicate a slight decline. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2010 when exports increased by 21% y-o-y. The global exports peaked at 132M square meters in 2011; however, from 2012 to 2018, exports remained at a lower figure.
In value terms, woolen fabric exports stood at $3.5B (IndexBox estimates) in 2018. In general, woolen fabric exports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2011 when exports increased by 16% against the previous year. In that year, global woolen fabric exports reached their peak of $4.2B. From 2012 to 2018, the growth of global woolen fabric exports failed to regain its momentum.
Exports by Country
In 2018, Italy (30M square meters) and China (21M square meters) represented the key exporters of woven woolen fabrics across the globe, together mixing up 57% of total exports. It was distantly followed by the UK (5,267K square meters), achieving a 5.9% share of total exports. Germany (3,841K square meters), Japan (3,302K square meters), South Korea (3,249K square meters), the Czech Republic (2,641K square meters), Turkey (1,662K square meters), Denmark (1,447K square meters) and Lithuania (1,369K square meters) followed a long way behind the leaders.
From 2009 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of exports, amongst the main exporting countries, was attained by Lithuania, while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
In value terms, Italy ($1.6B) remains the largest woolen fabric supplier worldwide, comprising 44% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by China ($414M), with a 12% share of global exports. It was followed by the UK, with a 7.4% share.
In Italy, woolen fabric exports increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% over the period from 2009-2018. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: China (-0.0% per year) and the UK (+7.2% per year).
Export Prices by Country
The average woolen fabric export price stood at $39 per square meter in 2018, rising by 16% against the previous year. Over the period from 2009 to 2018, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.8%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the average export price increased by 16% against the previous year. In that year, the average export prices for woven woolen fabrics attained their peak level and is likely to continue its growth in the immediate term.
Prices varied noticeably by the country of origin; the country with the highest price was Japan ($58 per square meter), while South Korea ($18 per square meter) was amongst the lowest.
From 2009 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Japan, while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
Imports 2009-2018
In 2018, the amount of woven woolen fabrics imported worldwide stood at 91M square meters, going down by -3.1% against the previous year. In general, woolen fabric imports continue to indicate a mild setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2010 when imports increased by 9.7% year-to-year. Over the period under review, global woolen fabric imports attained their maximum at 119M square meters in 2011; however, from 2012 to 2018, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.
In value terms, woolen fabric imports stood at $3.3B (IndexBox estimates) in 2018. Overall, woolen fabric imports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2011 when imports increased by 15% against the previous year. In that year, global woolen fabric imports reached their peak of $4.1B. From 2012 to 2018, the growth of global woolen fabric imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.
Imports by Country
In 2018, China (8,571K square meters), Viet Nam (7,399K square meters), Italy (4,978K square meters), Germany (4,593K square meters), Romania (4,076K square meters), Japan (3,780K square meters), Turkey (3,532K square meters), Morocco (3,115K square meters), Spain (3,056K square meters), the U.S. (3,029K square meters), the UK (2,379K square meters) and Bulgaria (2,278K square meters) were the major importers of woven woolen fabrics in the world, making up 56% of total import.
From 2009 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of imports, amongst the main importing countries, was attained by Viet Nam, while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
In value terms, China ($377M), Germany ($201M) and Japan ($193M) were the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2018, together comprising 23% of global imports. These countries were followed by Viet Nam, Italy, Romania, the U.S., Turkey, Bulgaria, Spain, Morocco and the UK, which together accounted for a further 33%.
Viet Nam experienced the highest rates of growth with regard to imports, in terms of the main importing countries over the last nine years, while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
Import Prices by Country
The average woolen fabric import price stood at $37 per square meter in 2018, picking up by 6.6% against the previous year. Over the period from 2009 to 2018, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.7%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2011 an increase of 13% year-to-year. Over the period under review, the average import prices for woven woolen fabrics reached their maximum at $37 per square meter in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2018, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.
There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2018, the country with the highest price was Japan ($51 per square meter), while Morocco ($25 per square meter) was amongst the lowest.
From 2009 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China, while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
