United Kingdom: Woolen Yarn Market 2025

Woolen Yarn Market Size in the UK

The UK woolen yarn market rose modestly to $X in 2021, with an increase of 4.7% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption, however, showed a noticeable decrease. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Woolen Yarn Production in the UK

In value terms, woolen yarn production expanded modestly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, saw a pronounced curtailment. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 22%. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, production remained at a lower figure.

Woolen Yarn Exports

Exports from the UK

After two years of decline, overseas shipments of yarn of wool increased by 3.3% to X tons in 2021. Over the period under review, exports, however, continue to indicate a deep downturn. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 10% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, woolen yarn exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. In general, exports, however, recorded a noticeable decrease. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

The United States (X tons), Finland (X tons) and Lithuania (X tons) were the main destinations of woolen yarn exports from the UK, together comprising 38% of total exports. These countries were followed by Belgium, Norway, the Netherlands, Ireland, Italy, Poland, Denmark, Germany and Portugal, which together accounted for a further 48%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Belgium (with a CAGR of +16.2%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Italy ($X), Finland ($X) and the United States ($X) constituted the largest markets for woolen yarn exported from the UK worldwide, together comprising 42% of total exports. Norway, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Ireland, Belgium, Germany, Denmark, Poland and Portugal lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 34%.

The Netherlands, with a CAGR of +15.4%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, among the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average woolen yarn export price amounted to $X per ton, surging by 27% against the previous year. Overall, export price indicated pronounced growth from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +3.1% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, woolen yarn export price increased by +71.3% against 2018 indices. As a result, the export price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major export markets. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Italy ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Poland ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Italy (+8.9%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Woolen Yarn Imports

Imports into the UK

In 2021, supplies from abroad of yarn of wool was finally on the rise to reach X tons for the first time since 2017, thus ending a three-year declining trend. In general, imports, however, continue to indicate a mild reduction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when imports increased by 12% against the previous year. Imports peaked at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, woolen yarn imports expanded significantly to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports, however, saw a slight shrinkage. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when imports increased by 16%. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Italy (X tons), Germany (X tons) and Lithuania (X tons) were the main suppliers of woolen yarn imports to the UK, together accounting for 62% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Lithuania (with a CAGR of +74.6%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest woolen yarn suppliers to the UK were Italy ($X), Germany ($X) and India ($X), with a combined 60% share of total imports. These countries were followed by Lithuania, Peru, Denmark, Turkey, Portugal, Mauritius, Poland and Belgium, which together accounted for a further 32%.

Among the main suppliers, Lithuania, with a CAGR of +67.2%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The average woolen yarn import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, with a decrease of -2.2% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the average import price increased by 10% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Poland (+15.4%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :