Market evolution: Elastic knitted fabrics (CN 6004) — 2015–2025

Introduction

This report analyzes the trade dynamics of the European Union in elastic knitted fabrics (Customs code 6004) over the decade from 2015 to 2025. The period is characterized by a fundamental restructuring of trade flows, leading to an improved trade balance, a significant shift in sourcing and export partnerships, and a strategic repositioning towards higher-value products. While EU production volumes have declined, the trade and export data reveal a sector moving towards greater value-added and strategic autonomy.

1. From Deficit to Surplus: The EU's Strengthening Trade Balance Through Value-Added Focus

The most significant macro-level trend is the transformation of the EU's trade balance in elastic knitted fabrics from a consistent deficit to a structural surplus. This shift was driven not by volume growth, but by a strategic move towards higher-value production and exports.

The Macro Trade Balance Inversion

The EU trade balance for CN 6004 turned positive and grew substantially over the period. In 2015, the EU had a trade deficit of €-87.7 million. By 2025, this had transformed into a surplus of €73.7 million, representing a positive swing of over 184%. This dramatic improvement was achieved despite a decrease in traded volumes, indicating a fundamental shift in the value composition of trade.

Diverging Trajectories of Imports and Exports

The paths of EU imports and exports diverged markedly. EU import value declined by 28.2% from €480.1 million in 2015 to €344.9 million in 2025. In contrast, EU export value increased by 6.6% from €392.5 million to €418.5 million. This divergence is explained by volume and price effects:

Imports saw both volume (-23.8% to 66.6k tonnes) and unit price (-5.7%) decline.
Exports experienced a much larger decline in volume (-20.8% to 19.3k tonnes) but were offset by a sharp 34.5% increase in average unit price (from €16,115 to €21,682 per tonne).

This data, available on the general trade overview dashboard, strongly suggests that EU producers focused on manufacturing higher-specification, premium-priced elastic fabrics for export, while the EU market became more reliant on competitive imports for volume goods.

2. A Reconfigured Global Map: Shifting Partners and Supply Chain Diversification

The EU’s network of trade partners underwent a profound reconfiguration, marked by the decline of traditional suppliers and the emergence of new, significant partners.

The Rapid Reconfiguration of Import Sources

The concentration of EU imports shifted decisively away from established Asian suppliers towards new or near-shoring partners. The top three importing partners in 2015 were Türkiye (€213.8m), China (€127.8m), and South Korea (€75.1m). By 2025, their combined share had fallen dramatically:

Türkiye remained the largest single source but saw its value fall by 46.8% to €113.8 million.
South Korea experienced the most severe decline, with import value collapsing by 61.9% to €28.6 million.
China was relatively stable, declining only 1.8% to €125.6 million.

The most striking change was the rise of Serbia, which went from a minor supplier (€0.6 million in 2015) to the third-largest import source by 2025, with a value of €23.7 million—a staggering 3692% increase. This highlights a clear trend of supply chain shortening and diversification towards Western Balkan nations, likely driven by proximity, trade agreements, and risk management. The volatility of these flows, particularly the extreme price shock from Türkiye in 2022, is documented on the supply shocks dashboard.

The Strategic Geography of EU Exports

EU export patterns also shifted, revealing strategic partnerships with neighboring manufacturing hubs. While Tunisia (€67.9m) and Morocco (€49.9m) remained the top two destinations in 2025, the most notable growth was seen in exports to Sri Lanka, which increased by 71.4% to €61.7 million, making it the third-largest market. This suggests deep integration into garment supply chains. Conversely, exports to Hong Kong plummeted by 73.3%, indicating a major redirection of trade flows away from that re-export hub. The stability of key export partners contrasts with the more volatile import landscape, as detailed in the partner concentration analysis.

3. Internal EU Dynamics: Production Consolidation and Specialization

Within the EU, trade and production dynamics point towards consolidation and a strengthening of specialized, export-oriented hubs.

Italy's Consolidation as the EU's Production and Export Core

Italy solidified its position as the undisputed center of the EU's elastic knitted fabric industry. In 2025, it was:

The largest EU importer (€170.2m, though down 20.1% from 2015).
The dominant EU exporter (€249.2m, up 26.9%).
The leading producer by both volume and value.

This data, found in the reporters' analysis, shows Italy maintained high domestic demand while significantly boosting its export capacity, confirming its role as a specialized, high-value producer. Other traditional producers like France and Germany saw their import and, in some cases, export roles diminish.

The Rise of Eastern European Import Hubs

Several Eastern European EU members saw significant growth in their imports of CN 6004, suggesting the development of competitive garment manufacturing sectors that source fabric inputs:

Bulgaria: Import value grew by 65.0% to €24.7 million.
Poland: Import value grew by 70.8% to €29.0 million.

This trend, visible in the specialisation data, indicates a reorganization of the EU's internal textile value chain, with production of finished goods potentially moving eastward while the more specialized fabric production remains concentrated in Western Europe.

Declining EU Production Volumes and Value

Underpinning these trade shifts is a notable decline in EU domestic production. EU production quantity of knitted fabrics (under related Prodcom code 13.91.19.10) fell by 22.4% from 360.9 million kg in 2015 to 280.1 million kg in 2025. Production value fell by 28.0% over the same period. This decline, detailed on the production volumes page, aligns with the increased offshoring of volume segments and a strategic focus within the EU on higher-margin, specialized fabrics for export.

Conclusion

Over the 2015-2025 period, the EU's market for elastic knitted fabrics (CN 6004) transformed profoundly. The Union moved from a position of trade deficit to surplus by fundamentally revaluing its exports, even as traded volumes declined. Geographically, the EU diversified its import supply chains, reducing reliance on traditional Asian partners and integrating near-shore partners like Serbia, while its export profile strengthened ties with North Africa and South Asia. Internally, the market consolidated around Italy as a high-value export hub, while Eastern European members grew as import-led manufacturing centers. This evolution points to a successful, if complex, adaptation towards higher value-added specialization and greater strategic autonomy within the EU's textile sector.