Market evolution: Knitted gloves mittens and mitts (CN 6116) — 2015–2025

Introduction

This report analyzes the trade dynamics of the European Union for knitted or crocheted gloves, mittens, and mitts (Customs code 6116) over the 2015-2025 period. The data reveals a market characterized by the EU's deepening reliance on imports to meet domestic demand, significant shifts in sourcing patterns, and a structural repositioning of the EU's own production towards higher-value segments. The analysis below is based exclusively on the provided data and explores the key trends in trade flows, market structure, and vulnerability.

The EU's Deepening Role as a Net Importer and the Parallel Stagnation of Domestic Production

The most striking evolution over the decade is the EU's accelerating dependence on foreign suppliers, coupled with a contraction of its own manufacturing base. This section details the scale of this transformation and its implications for the trade balance.

Import growth outpaces exports, widening the trade deficit

EU imports of CN 6116 grew by 29.4% in value between 2015 and 2025, from €798 million to €1.033 billion General Overview. While EU exports also grew by 30.8% (from €96.2 million to €125.8 million), this growth started from a much smaller base. Consequently, the trade deficit expanded from -€702 million in 2015 to -€907 million in 2025, confirming the EU's persistent and growing status as a net importer. The net import reliance metric starkly illustrates this trend, rising from 30.1% in 2015 to 92.7% in 2025 Autonomy & Vulnerability.

Domestic production volumes and value have declined significantly

The increasing import reliance is directly linked to a decline in EU production. Production quantity fell by 44.5% over the period, from 72.1 million pairs in 2015 to 40.0 million pairs in 2025 Market Structure. The value of production similarly contracted by 36.8%. This indicates a structural shift away from volume-based manufacturing within the EU, leaving the market more exposed to external supply chains.

Geographic Diversification of Sourcing and Volatility in Key Relationships

While the overall import bill has grown, the composition of the EU's suppliers has undergone notable changes. This section examines the shifting geography of imports and the associated volatility.

China maintains dominance, but Vietnam emerges as a high-growth alternative

China has consistently been the EU's primary supplier, with import value rising from €446 million to €616 million (+38.0%) General Overview. However, the most dramatic change is the rise of Vietnam, whose exports to the EU grew by 309.5% (from €17.9 million to €73.3 million), displacing South Korea and Malaysia as a top-7 supplier. This suggests a tangible diversification of sourcing within Asia. Other traditional suppliers like Pakistan (+12.9%) and Sri Lanka (+18.3%) saw more modest growth.

Volatility differs significantly across trade relationships

The stability of supply varies greatly. China exhibits low volatility (Coefficient of Variation, CV = 0.11), while several other partners show much higher instability. Trade with Vietnam (CV = 0.46), South Korea (CV = 0.45), and Bangladesh (CV = 0.41) has been highly volatile Volatility & Shocks. On the export side, relationships with the United Kingdom (EU's top export market) are notably volatile (CV = 0.60), which may be linked to post-Brexit adjustments.

EU Specialization in High-Value Niches Amidst Overall Market Concentration

The EU's remaining export activity and production are increasingly specialized in specific, higher-value product segments, even as the import market remains concentrated on China. This section explores the structural specialization and its implications.

EU exports are concentrated on high-value-added products

A breakdown by product segment reveals a clear strategic focus for EU exporters. In 2025, 93.0% of EU export value came from two categories: Coated gloves (CN 611610) and Wool/fine animal hair gloves (CN 611691). Notably, wool gloves accounted for only 5.4% of export volume but 7.9% of value, commanding an average unit price of €21.75 per pair – more than five times the average import price for synthetic or cotton gloves Product Segment Breakdown. This indicates the EU is competing in niche, premium segments.

Production specialisation is uneven across Member States

Analysis of revealed comparative advantage shows that within the EU, Sweden and Belgium are the most specialized producers of CN 6116 Market Structure. Conversely, large economies like Italy and France, while significant importers, show near-average specialization, likely reflecting their role as major consumption hubs rather than production centers for this specific category.

Import concentration is high and stable, dominated by one supplier

The Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI) for import value remained elevated, moving from 3,481 to 3,870 between 2015 and 2025 Market Structure. This confirms a highly concentrated import market, with China as the overwhelmingly dominant supplier. In contrast, the export market became less concentrated (HHI fell from 1,682 to 866), reflecting the diversification of the EU's customer base away from the UK towards Switzerland, Norway, and the US.

Conclusion

Over the 2015-2025 period, the EU market for knitted gloves (CN 6116) has undergone a fundamental transformation. The defining trend is the profound deepening of import reliance, fueled by a 44.5% decline in domestic production volumes and matched by a 29.4% increase in import values. While China solidified its position as the dominant supplier, the period also witnessed the rapid rise of Vietnam as a major alternative source.

The EU's export profile, though growing, remains modest and is increasingly specialized in high-value, niche products like wool gloves, which command a significant price premium. This structural shift leaves the EU market highly sensitive to external supply chains and price fluctuations, particularly from its primary supplier. The data points to a market where the EU has largely exited the volume segment, focusing instead on specialized production and re-exporting, while its mass consumption needs are overwhelmingly met by a concentrated, albeit partially diversifying, set of global suppliers.