Woolen Fabric Market

The article provides in-depth analysis of the global woolen fabric market from 2022 to 2030, highlighting consumption trends, market value projections, production figures, and key importing and exporting countries. Key findings include an expected increase in market volume to 510M square meters by 2030, with a projected market value of $5.3B. The top consuming countries in 2022 were China, Italy, and Japan, while the largest exporters were Italy and China. Import prices and trends varied by country, with Italy having the highest export price. Overall, the analysis showcases the dynamic nature of the woolen fabric market and the key players driving its growth.

Market Forecast

Driven by rising demand for woolen fabric worldwide, the market is expected to start an upward consumption trend over the next eight-year period. The performance of the market is forecast to increase slightly, with an anticipated CAGR of +0.2% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 510M square meters by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +2.1% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $5.3B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Woven Woolen Fabrics

In 2022, consumption of woven woolen fabrics was finally on the rise to reach 500M square meters for the first time since 2018, thus ending a three-year declining trend. Overall, consumption, however, recorded a pronounced slump. Global consumption peaked at 689M square meters in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The global woolen fabric market size surged to $4.5B in 2022, growing by 16% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). In general, consumption, however, continues to indicate a noticeable curtailment. Over the period under review, the global market reached the maximum level at $6.2B in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2022 were China (94M square meters), Italy (54M square meters) and Japan (26M square meters), with a combined 35% share of global consumption. India, Pakistan, Morocco, Nigeria, Vietnam, Turkey, Indonesia, Canada and the UK lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 26%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the main consuming countries, was attained by Morocco (with a CAGR of +8.1%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest woolen fabric markets worldwide were China ($612M), Italy ($575M) and Japan ($339M), with a combined 34% share of the global market. India, Turkey, Vietnam, Morocco, Canada, Indonesia, the UK, Pakistan and Nigeria lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 22%.

Morocco, with a CAGR of +7.8%, saw the highest growth rate of market size among the main consuming countries over the period under review, while market for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The countries with the highest levels of woolen fabric per capita consumption in 2022 were Italy (905 square meters per 1000 persons), Morocco (457 square meters per 1000 persons) and Canada (234 square meters per 1000 persons).

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Morocco (with a CAGR of +6.7%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Woven Woolen Fabrics

In 2022, production of woven woolen fabrics increased by 12% to 517M square meters for the first time since 2018, thus ending a three-year declining trend. Over the period under review, production, however, saw a pronounced curtailment. Global production peaked at 719M square meters in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, woolen fabric production rose markedly to $4.3B in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, continues to indicate a noticeable descent. Global production peaked at $6.1B in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

Production By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were Italy (136M square meters), China (117M square meters) and Japan (28M square meters), together accounting for 54% of global production. The UK, India, Pakistan, Nigeria and the Czech Republic lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 17%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of production, amongst the main producing countries, was attained by Nigeria (with a CAGR of +5.5%), while production for the other global leaders experienced a decline in the production figures.

Imports

World Imports of Woven Woolen Fabrics

After three years of decline, supplies from abroad of woven woolen fabrics increased by 35% to 251M square meters in 2022. Overall, imports, however, showed a pronounced slump. Over the period under review, global imports reached the maximum at 425M square meters in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, woolen fabric imports soared to $2.7B in 2022. Over the period under review, imports, however, continue to indicate a pronounced shrinkage. Over the period under review, global imports reached the peak figure at $3.7B in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports By Country

In 2022, China (29M square meters), followed by Morocco (18M square meters), Italy (18M square meters), Vietnam (14M square meters), Turkey (14M square meters), Germany (13M square meters) and Indonesia (12M square meters) were the major importers of woven woolen fabrics, together constituting 47% of total imports. Romania (9.7M square meters), Japan (8.1M square meters), Spain (7.2M square meters), the United States (6.6M square meters), France (5.7M square meters) and Portugal (5.4M square meters) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Morocco (with a CAGR of +7.0%), while purchases for the other global leaders experienced mixed trends in the imports figures.

In value terms, China ($335M) constitutes the largest market for imported woven woolen fabrics worldwide, comprising 12% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Turkey ($161M), with a 5.9% share of global imports. It was followed by France, with a 5.4% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in China stood at -4.5%. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Turkey (-0.2% per year) and France (+2.6% per year).

Imports By Type

Woven fabrics of combed wool or of combed fine animal hair was the largest imported product with an import of around 166M square meters, which accounted for 68% of total imports. It was distantly followed by woven fabrics of carded wool or of carded fine animal hair (79M square meters), committing a 32% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to woven fabrics of combed wool or of combed fine animal hair imports of stood at -4.1%. woven fabrics of carded wool or of carded fine animal hair (-4.1%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. The shares of the largest types remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, woven fabrics of combed wool or of combed fine animal hair ($1.8B) constitutes the largest type of woven woolen fabrics imported worldwide, comprising 68% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was held by woven fabrics of carded wool or of carded fine animal hair ($875M), with a 32% share of global imports.

For woven fabrics of combed wool or of combed fine animal hair, imports declined by an average annual rate of -3.3% over the period from 2012-2022.

Import Prices By Type

The average woolen fabric import price stood at $11 per square meter in 2022, shrinking by -5.9% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when the average import price increased by 30% against the previous year. Global import price peaked at $11 per square meter in 2021, and then declined in the following year.

Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major imported products. In 2022, the product with the highest price was woven fabrics of combed wool or of combed fine animal hair ($11 per square meter), while the price for woven fabrics of carded wool or of carded fine animal hair totaled $11 per square meter.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by woven fabrics of carded wool or of carded fine animal hair (+1.7%).

Import Prices By Country

The average woolen fabric import price stood at $11 per square meter in 2022, falling by -5.9% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 an increase of 30% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices reached the peak figure at $11 per square meter in 2021, and then shrank in the following year.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was France ($26 per square meter), while Morocco ($6.3 per square meter) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by France (+8.2%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Woven Woolen Fabrics

In 2022, shipments abroad of woven woolen fabrics increased by 31% to 268M square meters, rising for the second year in a row after two years of decline. Overall, exports, however, saw a pronounced decline. Over the period under review, the global exports hit record highs at 405M square meters in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, woolen fabric exports soared to $2.7B in 2022. In general, exports, however, saw a perceptible descent. Over the period under review, the global exports hit record highs at $4B in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports By Country

Italy represented the largest exporting country with an export of around 100M square meters, which amounted to 37% of total exports. China (52M square meters) ranks second in terms of the total exports with a 19% share, followed by the UK (6.6%). Germany (12M square meters), the Czech Republic (9.9M square meters), Japan (9.8M square meters), Spain (7.9M square meters), Belgium (5.9M square meters), Romania (5.2M square meters), Portugal (5M square meters) and South Korea (5M square meters) held a little share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main exporting countries, was attained by Romania (with a CAGR of +9.7%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Italy ($1.2B) remains the largest woolen fabric supplier worldwide, comprising 45% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by China ($337M), with a 12% share of global exports. It was followed by the UK, with a 7.8% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Italy amounted to -2.1%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: China (-6.1% per year) and the UK (-1.4% per year).

Exports By Type

In 2022, woven fabrics of combed wool or of combed fine animal hair (170M square meters) represented the major type of woven woolen fabrics, comprising 64% of total exports. It was distantly followed by woven fabrics of carded wool or of carded fine animal hair (94M square meters), achieving a 36% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main exported products, was attained by woven fabrics of carded wool or of carded fine animal hair (with a CAGR of -4.0%).

In value terms, woven fabrics of combed wool or of combed fine animal hair ($1.8B) and woven fabrics of carded wool or of carded fine animal hair ($931M) constituted the products with the highest levels of exports in 2022.

Among the main exported products, woven fabrics of carded wool or of carded fine animal hair, with a CAGR of -3.0%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review.

Export Prices By Type

The average woolen fabric export price stood at $10 per square meter in 2022, declining by -2.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 an increase of 13% against the previous year. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $11 per square meter. From 2015 to 2022, the average export prices failed to regain momentum.

Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major exported products. In 2022, the product with the highest price was woven fabrics of combed wool or of combed fine animal hair ($11 per square meter), while the average price for exports of woven fabrics of carded wool or of carded fine animal hair stood at $9.9 per square meter.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by woven fabrics of carded wool or of carded fine animal hair (+1.0%).

Export Prices By Country

In 2022, the average woolen fabric export price amounted to $10 per square meter, waning by -2.6% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 an increase of 13%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $11 per square meter. From 2015 to 2022, the average export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Italy ($12 per square meter), while Belgium ($5.1 per square meter) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Spain (+2.3%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform