EU: Cotton Fabric Market 2025

Cotton Fabric Market Size in the EU

In 2021, the EU cotton fabric market decreased by -2.8% to $X, falling for the third consecutive year after two years of growth. In general, consumption continues to indicate a slight descent. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Cotton Fabric Production in the EU

In value terms, cotton fabric production rose rapidly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, saw a pronounced decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 8.6%. The level of production peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Cotton Fabric Exports

Exports in the EU

In 2021, shipments abroad of woven fabrics of cotton was finally on the rise to reach X tons for the first time since 2015, thus ending a five-year declining trend. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.2% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when exports increased by 25% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2016 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, cotton fabric exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Italy (X tons), Spain (X tons) and Germany (X tons) represented roughly 57% of total exports in 2021. The Netherlands (X tons) ranks next in terms of the total exports with an 8.7% share, followed by Belgium (7.6%), France (6.1%), Austria (5.2%) and Portugal (5%). The Czech Republic (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the key exporting countries, was attained by Belgium (with a CAGR of +12.0%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest cotton fabric supplying countries in the European Union were Italy ($X), Germany ($X) and Austria ($X), together accounting for 54% of total exports.

Austria, with a CAGR of +10.8%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, among the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in the European Union stood at $X per ton in 2021, growing by 2.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, showed a perceptible descent. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when the export price increased by 7.5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Austria ($X per ton), while Belgium ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Czech Republic (+0.5%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Cotton Fabric Imports

Imports in the EU

In 2021, after four years of decline, there was growth in overseas purchases of woven fabrics of cotton, when their volume increased by 3.2% to X tons. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.2% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when imports increased by 18%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, cotton fabric imports rose significantly to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when imports increased by 14% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Italy (X tons), distantly followed by Germany (X tons), Spain (X tons), Poland (X tons), Portugal (X tons), France (X tons), Belgium (X tons) and the Netherlands (X tons) represented the major importers of woven fabrics of cotton, together comprising 80% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Portugal (with a CAGR of +12.2%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Italy ($X), Germany ($X) and Spain ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2021, together comprising 40% of total imports. These countries were followed by France, Poland, the Netherlands, Portugal and Belgium, which together accounted for a further 32%.

In terms of the main importing countries, Portugal, with a CAGR of +5.1%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to 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 import price in the European Union stood at $X per ton in 2021, growing by 7.3% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, saw a perceptible decrease. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was France ($X per ton), while Belgium ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by France (-1.4%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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