In the fourth quarter of 2024, Italian textile machinery orders saw a significant drop of 19% compared to the same period in 2023, according to the latest data from ACIMIT (Association of Italian Textile Machinery Manufacturers). The order index stood at 49.6 points (base 2021=100).
While the domestic market experienced a slight growth of 6%, foreign markets showed a sharp 22% decline. The order index for foreign markets was 48.3 points, while Italy’s domestic market registered a stronger 58.5 points. Despite the drop in orders, the existing order backlog is expected to cover 3.3 months of production.
For the entirety of 2024, the index recorded a 16% decrease compared to the previous year. Orders in Italy grew by 10%, but the decline abroad was notable, with a 19% drop overall.
Marco Salvadè, President of ACIMIT, shared insights on the ongoing challenges: “The weak order intake during the October-December 2024 period highlights the continued decline in machinery demand, particularly in international markets. Our exports have decreased across major target markets, with the exception of China. Countries such as Turkey, India, the United States, and Germany saw a drop in demand compared to 2023.”
