Market evolution: Pile fabrics knitted (CN 6001) — 2015–2025
Introduction
This report analyzes the European Union's trade in knitted or crocheted pile fabrics (CN 6001) over the 2015–2025 period. The data reveals a market undergoing a fundamental structural shift. The EU has transitioned from a relatively balanced trading position into a significant net importer, driven by a massive surge in import volumes—primarily of man-made fiber products from China. Concurrently, EU domestic production has collapsed, exports have stagnated, and the trade deficit has widened considerably. This transformation points to a profound restructuring of the supply chain, with increased reliance on external sourcing and growing vulnerability to supply concentration.
1. A Market Defined by a Widening Trade Deficit
The most striking trend is the dramatic divergence between import and export trajectories, leading to a deepening trade deficit.
Imports surged in volume while unit values fell
EU imports of CN 6001 products grew explosively in volume between 2015 and 2025, with quantity increasing by 118.6% from 23,571 to 51,522 tonnes. This volumetric growth occurred alongside a -35.7% decline in average import price (from EUR 6,279 to EUR 4,034 per tonne). This pattern suggests that the import surge was largely driven by cost-competitive, lower-priced goods, likely standardized for mass-market applications.
Exports remained relatively stagnant in volume
In contrast, export volumes grew only modestly by 2.5% (from 11,685 to 11,975 tonnes) over the same period. The slight increase in export value (+10.2%) and unit value (+7.5%) indicates that the EU may be specializing in higher-value, niche products or facing pricing pressures in its export markets.
The resulting trade deficit more than doubled
The combination of surging, cheaper imports and flat exports caused the EU's trade balance for CN 6001 to deteriorate sharply. The deficit more than doubled from -EUR 45.4 million in 2015 to -EUR 94.8 million in 2025.
| Indicator | 2015 | 2025 | Change (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Import Value (EUR) | 148.0M | 207.9M | +40.4% |
| Import Quantity (tonnes) | 23,571 | 51,522 | +118.6% |
| Import Price (EUR/t) | 6,279 | 4,034 | -35.7% |
| Export Value (EUR) | 102.6M | 113.1M | +10.2% |
| Export Quantity (tonnes) | 11,685 | 11,975 | +2.5% |
| Trade Balance (EUR) | -45.4M | -94.8M | -108.7% |
General overview of trade flows
2. Geographic Realignment and Rising Import Concentration
The geographic landscape of EU trade has shifted significantly, with imports becoming heavily concentrated on a single dominant supplier.
China consolidated its position as the dominant import source
China’s share of EU CN 6001 imports grew massively. Its import value more than doubled (+101.7% to EUR 160.8M), while the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI) for import concentration by value nearly doubled from 3,337 to 6,082, confirming a move towards high concentration. This indicates a high dependency risk. Meanwhile, other traditional suppliers like Türkiye, South Korea, and the United States saw their market shares decline.
| Top Import Partners (by Value) | 2015 | 2025 | Change (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| China | 79.7M | 160.8M | +101.7% |
| Türkiye | 24.1M | 14.1M | -41.4% |
| United Kingdom | 9.9M | 11.6M | +17.6% |
| Korea, Republic of | 11.5M | 5.3M | -54.4% |
| United States | 11.1M | 5.6M | -49.3% |
EU exports show more diversification but face volatility
EU exports are more evenly distributed. Morocco and Tunisia, key nearshoring partners for the EU textile sector, saw significant export growth (+39.4% and +163.5% respectively). However, exports to China fell by -62.8%. The lower export HHI (777 in 2025) reflects this diversification, but volatility metrics show significant price shocks in exports to China and Ukraine, indicating sensitivity to geopolitical or supply disruptions.
3. Structural Transformation: Production Decline and Product Specialization
Behind the trade figures lies a profound structural change within the EU, characterized by declining domestic production and a clear specialization in import and export segments.
EU domestic production collapsed
The most alarming trend is the -61.3% decline in the quantity of CN 6001 production within the EU between 2015 and 2025, falling from 109,604 to 42,449 tonnes. Production value fell even more sharply (-56.8%). This indicates a substantial loss of manufacturing capacity, likely due to offshoring and competitive pressures.
Man-made fiber pile fabrics (600192) drove import growth
The product segment breakdown reveals the engine of import growth. Imports of "Pile fabrics of man-made fibres (excl. long pile)" (CN 600192) accounted for the vast majority of the volume increase, growing from 12,767 to 39,641 tonnes. This segment also showed a declining import price, confirming it as the primary vehicle for cost-driven sourcing.
EU exports are characterized by higher unit values
EU exports in several segments, particularly "Looped pile fabrics of man-made fibres" (CN 600122) and "Looped pile fabrics of cotton" (CN 600121), command significantly higher unit values than corresponding imports. This suggests the EU retains a competitive edge in higher-quality, specialized, or technical fabrics, even as it loses ground in bulk commodity products.
| Key Product Segments (Imports, 2025) | Quantity (tonnes) | Unit Value (EUR/t) |
|---|---|---|
| 600192 (Man-made, excl. long pile) | 39,641 | 3,526 |
| 600110 (Long pile) | 5,917 | 4,747 |
| 600122 (Looped, man-made) | 3,762 | 5,520 |
Product segment breakdown for imports and exports
Import reliance and trade intensity have heightened vulnerability
The net import reliance (the share of apparent consumption met by imports) swung from -2.6% in 2015 (meaning the EU was a net exporter) to +21.2% in 2025. Similarly, trade intensity (total trade relative to production) more than doubled to 61.2%. This demonstrates the EU market's growing exposure to external supply chains and their associated risks.
Net import reliance and trade intensity
Conclusion
The EU market for knitted pile fabrics (CN 6001) has undergone a decisive transformation between 2015 and 2025. The period is defined by a strategic pivot towards mass-volume, lower-cost imports, led overwhelmingly by China, and a concurrent precipitous decline in domestic manufacturing capacity. While EU exports have persisted in higher-value niches, they have failed to offset the import surge, leading to a doubled trade deficit and a state of significant net import reliance.
This structure renders the EU highly vulnerable. The concentration of imports in China creates a substantial supply chain risk, as underscored by the sharp rise in import concentration (HHI) and observed price shocks. The collapse in production erodes the EU's industrial base in this segment, limiting its capacity for rapid self-correction. Future stability will depend on the evolution of sourcing strategies, including potential further nearshoring to North Africa, and the ability of EU producers to maintain their foothold in specialized, high-margin product categories.