In 2023, after two years of growth, overseas shipments of wool yarn by Poland declined by -2.3 per cent in volume to 4.2K tons. In value terms, exports of woolen yarn totaled $78 million in 2023, according to IndexBox estimates.
Italy was the primary destination for woolen yarn exports from Poland, accounting for a 61 per cent share with 2.6K tons. Exports to Italy exceeded those to Germany (887 tons), the second major destination, by threefold. Portugal held the third position with 324 tons, representing a 7.7 per cent share.
From 2013 to 2023, the average annual growth rate of export volume to Italy was +2.3 per cent. Exports to other major destinations had the following average annual growth rates: Germany (-13.1 per cent per year) and Portugal (+146.6 per cent per year).
In value terms, Italy remained the key foreign market for Polish wool yarn exports, comprising 62 per cent of total exports at $49 million. Germany was second with $20 million, holding a 25 per cent share, followed by Portugal with a 4.6 pre cent share. From 2013 to 2023, the average annual growth rate of export value to Italy was +10.6 per cent. For Germany, it was -11.6 per cent per year, and for Portugal, it was +127.4 per cent per year.
Yarn of combed wool, not put up for retail sale, was the largest type of wool yarn exported from Poland, accounting for 89 per cent of total exports at 3.8K tons. This category significantly exceeded the second product type, yarn of carded wool, not put up for retail sale, which stood at 433 tons, and the third category, yarn of wool or fine animal hair put up for retail sale, which was 15 tons, holding a 0.4 per cent share.
From 2013 to 2023, the average annual growth rate of combed wool yarn exports was -4.9 per cent. For carded wool yarn, it was -20.9 per cent per year, and for yarn of wool or fine animal hair put up for retail sale, it was -6.2 per cent per year.
In value terms, yarn of combed wool, not put up for retail sale, remained the largest type of wool yarn exported from Poland, comprising 94 per cent of total exports at $74 million. Yarn of carded wool followed with a 5 per cent share at $4 million, and yarn of wool or fine animal hair put up for retail sale held a 0.7 per cent share.
From 2013 to 2023, the value growth rate for combed wool yarn exports was -2.2 per cent per year. For carded wool yarn, it was -7.7 per cent per year, and for yarn of wool or fine animal hair put up for retail sale, it was +2.7 per cent per year.
In 2023, the export price for woolen yarn rose by 8 per cent to $18,547 per ton (FOB, Poland). Over the review period, the export price indicated strong growth, with the most prominent rate in 2018, when the price increased by 25 per cent. The average export prices peaked in 2023 and are expected to continue growing.
