Which Country Imports the Most Nonwoven Textiles in the World?

Other Textiles May 28, 2018

Blog Blog / Textiles, Apparel And Leather Goods / Other Textiles

Author: Anna Sergeeva

PositionMarket Analyst

In 2016, the amount of nonwoven textile imported worldwide stood at 4.6M tonnes, increasing by 2% against the previous year figure. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% over the period from 2007 to 2016; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013, when imports increased by 29% from the previous year level. In that year, global nonwoven textile imports reached its maximum volume of 5.1M tonnes. From 2014 to 2016, growth of global nonwoven textile imports failed to regain its strength.

In value terms, nonwoven textile imports totaled $13B in 2016. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +3.7% from 2007 to 2016; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations over the period under review. Over the period under review, global nonwoven textile imports attained its maximum level of $14B in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2016, it failed to regain its strength.

Top Nonwoven Textile Importing Countries in the World

1. USA (1,342.5 million USD)

2. Germany (966.1 million USD)

3. China (843.4 million USD)

4. Japan (713.1 million USD)

5. Mexico (571.0 million USD)

6. United Kingdom (472.5 million USD)

7. Poland (426.2 million USD)

8. Canada (416.2 million USD)

9. South Korea (398.6 million USD)

10. France (395.5 million USD)

11. Italy (391.4 million USD)

12. Czech Republic (338.9 million USD)

Nonwoven Textile Imports By Country

In 2016, China (832K tonnes), distantly followed by the U.S. (434K tonnes), Italy (281K tonnes), Germany (231K tonnes), and Japan (211K tonnes) represented the main importers of nonwoven textile, together achieving 44% of total imports. France (135K tonnes), Poland (131K tonnes), the UK (125K tonnes), Mexico (117K tonnes), South Korea (105K tonnes), Czech Republic (101K tonnes), and Canada (99K tonnes) held the mild share of total imports.

From 2007 to 2016, the most notable growth rate of nonwoven textile imports, among the main importing countries, was attained by Japan (+11.0% per year), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the U.S. ($1.3B), Germany ($966M) and China ($843M) constituted the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2016, together comprising 24% of global imports.Japan, Mexico, the UK, Poland, Canada, South Korea, France, Italy and Czech Republic lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 32%.

South Korea (+10.6% per year) recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the nonwoven textile imports, in terms of the main importing countries, over the last 9 year period, while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Nonwoven Textile Import Prices By Country

In 2016, the average import price for nonwoven textile amounted to $2,830 per tonne, reducing by -2.9% against the previous year. Over the period from 2007 to 2016 it increased at an average annual rate of +1.9%.The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014, when import price increased by 25% year-to-year. In that year, average nonwoven textile import price attained its maximum level of $3,171 per tonne. From 2015 to 2016, growth of average nonwoven textile import price stood at a somewhat lower level.

Import prices varied noticeably by country of destination. the country with the highest import prices was Mexico ($4,864 per tonne), while China ($1,013 per tonne) was among the lowest.

From 2007 to 2016, the most notable growth rate of nonwoven textile import prices was attained by the UK (+12.5% per year), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Do you want to know more about global nonwoven textile market? Get the latest trends and insight from our report. It includes a wide range of statistics on