The orders index data for the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2022 supports the findings from the prior three quarters. The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, with its effects on regular commerce and trade, and an unsteady macroeconomic environment have further harmed the intake of orders.
The Association of Italian Textile Machinery Manufacturers (ACIMIT), Milan, Italy, said that the Italian textile machinery orders index for Q4/2022 showed a steep fall of 35% from the three months from October to December 2021. The index was 83.6 points in absolute value (basis: 2015=100).
On the domestic market, orders fell by 34%, while the overseas index fell by a full 37%. The index’s absolute value in Italy was 155.4 points, although the value was 75.8 points on international markets… The orders index dropped 18% on an annual basis, reaching an absolute value of 110.4 points. Orders received abroad decreased by 17%, while orders collected in Italy decreased by 28% from the estimates made in 2021.
Statistics for the fourth quarter of 2022 do not point to a change in the downward trend for the first few months of 2023. Though still high, falling energy prices and inflation are indications that business conditions for enterprises in the sector are also slightly improving.
