United Kingdom: Women Knitwear Market 2025

Women Knitwear Market Size in the UK

In 2022, the UK women knitwear market increased by 11% to $X, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +4.0% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. Women knitwear consumption peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Women Knitwear Production in the UK

In value terms, women knitwear production declined to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 61%. Women knitwear production peaked at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Women Knitwear Exports

Exports from the UK

In 2022, shipments abroad of women's or girls' clothing (knitted or crocheted) decreased by -27% to X units, falling for the fifth year in a row after six years of growth. Overall, exports continue to indicate a deep setback. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when exports increased by 68% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at X units in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, women knitwear exports reduced to $X in 2022. In general, exports saw a perceptible curtailment. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 41%. The exports peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Ireland (X units), Spain (X units) and the United States (X units) were the main destinations of women knitwear exports from the UK, with a combined 34% share of total exports. Germany, the Netherlands, South Korea, Belgium, Bangladesh, Poland, the United Arab Emirates, Italy, France and Sweden lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 46%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for South Korea (with a CAGR of +54.4%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for women knitwear exported from the UK were the United States ($X), Ireland ($X) and Germany ($X), together accounting for 35% of total exports. The Netherlands, South Korea, Spain, Italy, France, the United Arab Emirates, Belgium, Poland, Bangladesh and Sweden lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 42%.

Among the main countries of destination, Bangladesh, with a CAGR of +74.7%, saw the highest growth rate of 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 women knitwear export price amounted to $X per unit, picking up by 19% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price saw a pronounced expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 an increase of 37% against the previous year. The export price peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

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 the United States ($X per unit), while the average price for exports to Bangladesh ($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 Bangladesh (+24.9%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Women Knitwear Imports

Imports into the UK

In 2022, overseas purchases of women's or girls' clothing (knitted or crocheted) increased by 13% to X units, rising for the second consecutive year after four years of decline. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.0% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 28% against the previous year. Imports peaked at X units in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, women knitwear imports reached $X in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +3.0% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when imports increased by 20% against the previous year. Imports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

Bangladesh (X units), China (X units) and Turkey (X units) were the main suppliers of women knitwear imports to the UK, with a combined 64% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Bangladesh (with a CAGR of +12.9%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest women knitwear suppliers to the UK were China ($X), Bangladesh ($X) and Turkey ($X), with a combined 56% share of total imports. Cambodia, Vietnam, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 25%.

Pakistan, with a CAGR of +16.0%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, in terms of the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average women knitwear import price amounted to $X per unit, waning by -4.4% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price showed a slight slump. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 an increase of 23%. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per unit. From 2020 to 2022, the average import prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Vietnam ($X per unit), while the price for Bangladesh ($X per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Vietnam (+5.2%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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