Europe: Wool Market 2025

Wool Market Size in Europe

The Europe wool market fell to $X in 2022, waning by -10.1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption saw a abrupt contraction. Over the period under review, the market attained the maximum level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Wool Production in Europe

In value terms, wool production dropped modestly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production continues to indicate a deep downturn. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when the production volume increased by 13% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2015 to 2022, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Wool Exports

Exports in Europe

In 2022, shipments abroad of wool increased by 13% to X tons, rising for the second year in a row after three years of decline. Total exports indicated a tangible expansion from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.4% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports increased by +40.9% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when exports increased by 24% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, wool exports expanded slightly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 26%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

In 2022, the UK (X tons) was the key exporter of wool, achieving 44% of total exports. Belarus (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total exports with a 10% share, followed by Russia (9.8%), Germany (8.7%), Belgium (8.2%) and Spain (4.9%). France (X tons) held a relatively small share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to wool exports from the UK stood at +7.2%. At the same time, Russia (+10.4%), Belarus (+9.3%) and Spain (+2.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Russia emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Europe, with a CAGR of +10.4% from 2012-2022. Belgium and Germany experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, France (-2.4%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of the UK (+13 p.p.), Russia (+4.7 p.p.) and Belarus (+4.4 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2022, the share of France (-2.3 p.p.), Belgium (-3.1 p.p.) and Germany (-3.8 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the UK ($X) remains the largest wool supplier in Europe, comprising 40% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Germany ($X), with a 14% share of total exports. It was followed by Belgium, with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in the UK totaled +1.9%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Germany (-1.5% per year) and Belgium (-3.5% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Europe stood at $X per ton in 2022, waning by -7.3% against the previous year. In general, the export price recorded a pronounced decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 an increase of 4.1% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Germany ($X per ton), while Russia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Germany (-1.3%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Wool Imports

Imports in Europe

In 2022, approx. X tons of wool were imported in Europe; declining by -8% against the year before. In general, imports continue to indicate a pronounced reduction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 35% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, wool imports reached $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports saw a pronounced downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 27%. The level of import peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

The UK (X tons), Italy (X tons), Lithuania (X tons) and Germany (X tons) represented roughly 66% of total imports in 2022. Russia (X tons) took a 6.6% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Portugal (5.7%). Belgium (X tons), Poland (X tons), Belarus (X tons), France (X tons) and Hungary (X tons) held a relatively small share of total imports.

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

In value terms, the largest wool importing markets in Europe were Italy ($X), the UK ($X) and Lithuania ($X), with a combined 59% share of total imports.

In terms of the main importing countries, the UK, with a CAGR of +9.0%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced a decline in the imports figures.

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Europe stood at $X per ton in 2022, surging by 12% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, recorded a noticeable shrinkage. Over the period under review, import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, import prices remained at a 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 Italy ($X per ton), while Russia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Poland (-0.4%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform