Summary of the Economic Note - 42nd edition of Milano Unica
Data processed by Economic Studies and Statistics Office of Confindustria Moda
Istat-based data regarding the first nine months of 2025 processed by the Economic Studies and Statistics Office of Confindustria Moda reveals a significant lessening of the negative performance in sales volumes of made-in-Italy textiles on an annual basis (-1.5% vs -8.8% in 2024). Total sales are expected to reach euro 6.9 billion against euro 7 in 2024. In particular, the result is supported by the positive trend recorded in Q3 2025 in most of the segments considered and can be hopefully interpreted as heralding a good start in 2026. An expectation supported by objective data, such as the positive trend in cotton and linen sales, which combined account for one fourth of total sales, thus recovering the losses generated in the previous two years. Almost 55% of the overall result was generated by exports, which are expected to total euro 3.73 billion in 2025, slightly down vs 2024 (-1.5%). For the first time in many years, the value is essentially equal to the industry’s trade balance (euro 1.88 billion). Considering the export markets, in the first nine months of 2025, China and Hong Kong, taken together, remain the first export market, worth approximately euro 200 million, while, individually, China recorded a -17.7% reduction and Hong Kong -26.7%. China alone ranks fourth in terms of market share after France (-3.1%), Germany (-1.3%) and Tunisia (+7.4%). A positive sign comes from the following countries: USA (+5.9%) despite the uncertainties resulting from Trump’s tariff policies, Portugal (+0.9%), Morocco (+14.2%), Poland (+18%) and the UK (+9.2%). As for imports, China accounts for the lion’s share (+11.7%) with a 29.1% market share, followed by Turkey (-5.6%) and Germany, which posted a remarkable +32.6%.
