United Kingdom: Men Knitwear Market 2025

Men Knitwear Market Size in the UK

The UK men knitwear market soared to $X in 2022, surging by 18% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption continues to indicate a prominent increase. Over the period under review, the market attained the peak level in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Men Knitwear Production in the UK

In value terms, men knitwear production amounted to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, the total production indicated buoyant growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +7.1% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, production decreased by -0.6% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 76%. Over the period under review, production reached the peak level at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

Men Knitwear Exports

Exports from the UK

In 2022, approx. X units of men's or boys' clothing (knitted or crocheted) were exported from the UK; reducing by -35.1% on 2021 figures. Overall, exports saw a abrupt descent. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when exports increased by 49%. The exports peaked at X units in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, men knitwear exports fell rapidly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when exports increased by 28%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Ireland (X units), Germany (X units) and Belgium (X units) were the main destinations of men knitwear exports from the UK, together comprising 41% of total exports. The Netherlands, France, Spain, the United States, Italy, Poland, Algeria and the United Arab Emirates lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 40%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by the United Arab Emirates (with a CAGR of +17.9%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for men knitwear exported from the UK were the Netherlands ($X), Germany ($X) and Ireland ($X), with a combined 31% share of total exports.

Among the main countries of destination, the Netherlands, with a CAGR of +13.3%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average men knitwear export price amounted to $X per unit, with an increase of 11% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price saw strong growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 an increase of 48%. The export price peaked in 2022 and is likely to continue growth in the near future.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major foreign markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Italy ($X per unit), while the average price for exports to Algeria ($X per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Italy (+28.8%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Men Knitwear Imports

Imports into the UK

In 2022, purchases abroad of men's or boys' clothing (knitted or crocheted) increased by 9.1% to X units, rising for the second consecutive year after four years of decline. Over the period under review, total imports indicated a resilient increase from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +6.3% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +29.0% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 35% against the previous year. Imports peaked at X units in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, men knitwear imports soared to $X in 2022. Overall, total imports indicated a buoyant expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +8.4% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +124.3% against 2012 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 19% against the previous year. Imports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

Imports by Country

Bangladesh (X units), China (X units) and Pakistan (X units) were the main suppliers of men knitwear imports to the UK, with a combined 57% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Pakistan (with a CAGR of +15.4%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, China ($X), Bangladesh ($X) and Pakistan ($X) constituted the largest men knitwear suppliers to the UK, together comprising 46% of total imports. Cambodia, Turkey, India, Myanmar and Belgium lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 26%.

Cambodia, with a CAGR of +25.0%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, among the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The average men knitwear import price stood at $X per unit in 2022, rising by 6.3% against the previous year. In general, import price indicated a slight increase from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +1.9% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, men knitwear import price increased by +67.5% against 2015 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when the average import price increased by 31% against the previous year. The import price peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Belgium ($X per unit), while the price for Myanmar ($X per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Cambodia (+8.7%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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