Woolen Yarn Market

The global woolen yarn market is expected to experience a slight consumption trend over the period from 2022 to 2030, with a forecasted CAGR of +1.2% in volume terms and +3.3% in value terms. Consumption of yarn of wool increased in 2022 after two years of decline, reaching 391K tons. Key consuming countries include China, India, and Italy, while major exporting countries include China and Italy. Product types such as yarn of combed wool and carded wool dominate both exports and imports. Average import and export prices have shown variations based on product types and countries, with China and Lithuania leading in export prices.

Market Forecast

Driven by rising demand for woolen yarn 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 +1.2% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 429K tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +3.3% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $9.7B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Yarn Of Wool

In 2022, consumption of yarn of wool increased by 0.8% to 391K tons, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. In general, consumption, however, saw a mild slump. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 9%. Global consumption peaked at 474K tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

The global woolen yarn market size dropped slightly to $7.5B in 2022, shrinking by -2% 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). Overall, consumption, however, recorded a slight descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the market value increased by 9.5%. Global consumption peaked at $9B in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2022 were China (71K tons), India (53K tons) and Italy (49K tons), together comprising 44% of global consumption. The UK, Japan, Indonesia, Spain, Vietnam, the United States, Mexico, the Philippines and Nigeria lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 23%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the main consuming countries, was attained by Spain (with a CAGR of +16.0%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, China ($2.5B) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was held by Italy ($815M). It was followed by India.

In China, the woolen yarn market remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Italy (-0.2% per year) and India (+9.3% per year).

In 2022, the highest levels of woolen yarn per capita consumption was registered in Italy (823 kg per 1000 persons), followed by the UK (317 kg per 1000 persons), Spain (199 kg per 1000 persons) and Japan (107 kg per 1000 persons), while the world average per capita consumption of woolen yarn was estimated at 50 kg per 1000 persons.

In Italy, woolen yarn per capita consumption expanded at an average annual rate of +1.0% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the UK (-2.8% per year) and Spain (+15.8% per year).

Production

World Production of Yarn Of Wool

In 2022, production of yarn of wool increased by 0.2% to 390K tons, rising for the second year in a row after three years of decline. Over the period under review, production, however, showed a noticeable decline. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when the production volume increased by 10%. Over the period under review, global production hit record highs at 502K tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, woolen yarn production contracted to $7.5B in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, saw a slight descent. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 12% against the previous year. Global production peaked at $9.5B in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Production By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were China (91K tons), India (61K tons) and Italy (51K tons), together accounting for 52% of global production. Lithuania, the UK, Spain, Japan, Indonesia, Mexico, Romania, the Czech Republic, the Philippines and Nigeria lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 23%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of production, amongst the leading producing countries, was attained by Spain (with a CAGR of +15.0%), while production for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports

World Imports of Yarn Of Wool

In 2022, purchases abroad of yarn of wool increased by 3.5% to 138K tons, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. Over the period under review, imports, however, saw a slight curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when imports increased by 18% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global imports hit record highs at 164K tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, woolen yarn imports stood at $2.8B in 2022. In general, imports, however, continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 17% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global imports attained the maximum at $3.2B in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports By Country

In 2022, Italy (19K tons), the UK (15K tons), Germany (9.7K tons), Vietnam (7.5K tons), the United States (6.4K tons), Denmark (6.2K tons), Belgium (4.2K tons), Japan (3.8K tons), China (3.5K tons), Hong Kong SAR (3.3K tons), Australia (3.2K tons) and Norway (3K tons) represented the major importer of yarn of wool in the world, achieving 61% of total import. Sweden (2.8K tons) took a minor share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Vietnam (with a CAGR of +22.5%), while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest woolen yarn importing markets worldwide were Italy ($394M), Germany ($207M) and the UK ($186M), with a combined 28% share of global imports. Vietnam, Hong Kong SAR, the United States, China, Denmark, Japan, Norway, Sweden, Australia and Belgium lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 34%.

In terms of the main importing countries, Vietnam, with a CAGR of +21.3%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports By Type

Yarn of combed wool, not put up for retail sale was the key imported product with an import of around 67K tons, which accounted for 49% of total imports. Yarn of carded wool, not put up for retail sale (44K tons) held the second position in the ranking, distantly followed by yarn of wool or of fine animal hair, put up for retail sale (17K tons) and yarn of fine animal hair (carded or combed), not put up for retail sale (8.8K tons). All these products together held near 51% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for yarn of fine animal hair (carded or combed), not put up for retail sale (with a CAGR of +4.5%), while purchases for the other products experienced mixed trends in the imports figures.

In value terms, yarn of combed wool, not put up for retail sale ($1.3B) constitutes the largest type of yarn of wool imported worldwide, comprising 48% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by yarn of carded wool, not put up for retail sale ($522M), with a 19% share of global imports. It was followed by yarn of fine animal hair (carded or combed), not put up for retail sale, with an 18% share.

For yarn of combed wool, not put up for retail sale, imports plunged by an average annual rate of -1.5% over the period from 2012-2022. For the other products, the average annual rates were as follows: yarn of carded wool, not put up for retail sale (-2.4% per year) and yarn of fine animal hair (carded or combed), not put up for retail sale (+2.0% per year).

Import Prices By Type

The average woolen yarn import price stood at $20,200 per ton in 2022, standing approx. at the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.1%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the average import price increased by 12%. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the peak figure at $21,038 per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by the product type; the product with the highest price was yarn of fine animal hair (carded or combed), not put up for retail sale ($58,180 per ton), while the price for yarn of carded wool, not put up for retail sale ($11,968 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by yarn of coarse animal hair or of horsehair (including gimped horsehair yarn), whether or not put up for retail sale (+4.9%), while the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Country

In 2022, the average woolen yarn import price amounted to $20,200 per ton, standing approx. at the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.1%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 an increase of 12% against the previous year. Global import price peaked at $21,038 per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

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 Hong Kong SAR ($45,112 per ton), while Belgium ($7,122 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Denmark (+14.0%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Yarn Of Wool

In 2022, shipments abroad of yarn of wool increased by 1.9% to 137K tons, rising for the second year in a row after six years of decline. Overall, exports, however, saw a noticeable decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 21%. Over the period under review, the global exports attained the peak figure at 194K tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, woolen yarn exports declined modestly to $3B in 2022. In general, exports, however, saw a mild reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 23% against the previous year. The global exports peaked at $3.8B in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports By Country

China (23K tons) and Italy (21K tons) represented roughly 32% of total exports in 2022. Lithuania (12K tons) held the next position in the ranking, followed by India (8.4K tons), Germany (7.5K tons) and Romania (6.9K tons). All these countries together took approx. 25% share of total exports. The Czech Republic (5.3K tons), Bulgaria (5.2K tons), the UK (4.9K tons), Poland (4.3K tons), Turkey (3.7K tons), Portugal (3.1K tons) and Hong Kong SAR (3K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the key exporting countries, was attained by Lithuania (with a CAGR of +7.4%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest woolen yarn supplying countries worldwide were China ($832M), Italy ($615M) and Germany ($181M), with a combined 54% share of global exports. Romania, India, the Czech Republic, Hong Kong SAR, Bulgaria, the UK, Lithuania, Poland, Turkey and Portugal lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 28%.

In terms of the main exporting countries, Lithuania, with a CAGR of +6.6%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports By Type

In 2022, yarn of combed wool, not put up for retail sale (69K tons) represented the major type of yarn of wool, comprising 51% of total exports. It was distantly followed by yarn of carded wool, not put up for retail sale (44K tons), yarn of wool or of fine animal hair, put up for retail sale (16K tons) and yarn of fine animal hair (carded or combed), not put up for retail sale (7.5K tons), together creating a 49% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for yarn of fine animal hair (carded or combed), not put up for retail sale (with a CAGR of -0.1%), while shipments for the other products experienced a decline in the exports figures.

In value terms, yarn of combed wool, not put up for retail sale ($1.4B) remains the largest type of yarn of wool supplied worldwide, comprising 46% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was held by yarn of fine animal hair (carded or combed), not put up for retail sale ($656M), with a 22% share of global exports. It was followed by yarn of carded wool, not put up for retail sale, with an 18% share.

For yarn of combed wool, not put up for retail sale, exports decreased by an average annual rate of -2.2% over the period from 2012-2022. With regard to the other exported products, the following average annual rates of growth were recorded: yarn of fine animal hair (carded or combed), not put up for retail sale (-0.2% per year) and yarn of carded wool, not put up for retail sale (-4.4% per year).

Export Prices By Type

In 2022, the average woolen yarn export price amounted to $22,100 per ton, dropping by -4% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.3%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 an increase of 17% against the previous year. The global export price peaked at $23,014 per ton in 2021, and then reduced slightly in the following year.

Prices varied noticeably by the product type; the product with the highest price was yarn of fine animal hair (carded or combed), not put up for retail sale ($87,550 per ton), while the average price for exports of yarn of carded wool, not put up for retail sale ($12,425 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by yarn of coarse animal hair or of horsehair (including gimped horsehair yarn), whether or not put up for retail sale (+10.9%), while the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Country

The average woolen yarn export price stood at $22,100 per ton in 2022, with a decrease of -4% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.3%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 an increase of 17%. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs at $23,014 per ton in 2021, and then reduced in the following year.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was China ($35,657 per ton), while Lithuania ($7,360 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Poland (+4.8%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform