China was the largest outside supplier.
What this market covers
Engineered textiles that wick moisture, stretch, resist odor or block wind and sun. Sportswear, outdoor and workwear brands buy them for garments and gear.
Typical segments
- Moisture wicking knits
- Stretch woven fabrics
- Waterproof and breathable fabrics
- Antimicrobial fabrics
- UV protective fabrics
Source: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value fell 3% from 2020 to 2025, a direct read on EU demand for sourced supply.
- Supply is concentrated: one country provided a large share of extra-EU imports in 2025.
Key figures
Each figure names the source it came from. Open the source list below to read the quoted line.
| Figure | Value | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| The EU imported €172.8 million of products under CN code 60063200 (Dyed fabrics, knitted or crocheted, of synthetic fibres, of a width of > 30 cm) from outside the EU in 2025. | 172.8 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 60063200 were down 3% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€178.1 million), calculated from Eurostat values. | -3 % since 2020 | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 60063200 to countries outside the EU were worth €136.7 million in 2025. | 136.7 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 60063200 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €132.4 million in 2025. | 132.4 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| China was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 60063200 to the EU in 2025, with €115.6 million, or 67% of extra-EU imports. | 115.6 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 60063200 to the United States were €3.8 million in 2025. | 3.8 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 60063200 was €4.08 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 4.08 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Spain was the largest EU exporter of CN 60063200 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €32.8 million. | 32.8 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 2,400 enterprises in NACE class C1391 (Manufacture of knitted and crocheted fabrics) in 2023. | 2,400 enterprises | 2023 | Eurostat |
| EU enterprises in NACE class C1391 had net turnover of €3.09 billion in 2023. | 3.09 EUR billion | 2023 | Eurostat |
| NACE class C1391 employed 19,312 people across the EU in 2023. | 19,312 persons employed | 2023 | Eurostat |
| The US had 132 private establishments in NAICS 313240 (Knit fabric mills) in 2025. | 132 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 313240 employed an average of 4,068 people in US private industry in 2025. | 4,068 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 313240 changed by -18% between 2020 (4,965 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | -18 % since 2020 | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 313240 was $55,762 in 2025. | 55,762 USD per year | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
Sources and method
The figures on this page come from the public sources listed below. Read how we work.
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 1
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 60063200, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 172824872
- Figure 2
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 60063200, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 178102047; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 172824872
- Figure 3
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 60063200, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 136655671
- Figure 4
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 60063200, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 132406251
- Figure 5
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 60063200, partner CN, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 115610324
- Figure 6
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 60063200, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 3818840
- Figure 7
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 60063200, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 172824872, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 423418
- Figure 1
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 8
DS-045409, reporter ES, product 60063200, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 32849297
- Figure 8
- Eurostat: Enterprises by detailed NACE Rev. 2 activity and special aggregates (sbs_ovw_act) (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 9
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C1391, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2023, 2400
- Figure 10
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C1391, indic_sbs NETTUR_MEUR, 2023, 3088
- Figure 11
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C1391, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2023, 19312
- Figure 9
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 313240, 2025 (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 12
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 313240, annual_avg_estabs 132
- Figure 13
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 313240, annual_avg_emplvl 4068
- Figure 14
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 4965; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 4068
- Figure 15
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 313240, avg_annual_pay 55762
- Figure 12
Buyers and suppliers
Who buys
- Sportswear brands
- Outdoor apparel makers
- Workwear suppliers
Large non-EU suppliers to the EU
What the full report covers
- 01Executive summary
The answer in one page: size, direction and what moves it - 02Market definition and scope
What is in and out of the European Union market - 03Market size, 2021 to 2025
Historical series and growth rates - 04Outlook to 2031
Base, low and high scenarios with stated assumptions - 05Rules, policy and deadlines
Regulation and programmes that change demand - 06Drivers and barriers
What accelerates or slows adoption, by customer segment - 07Prices, costs and margins
Unit economics where public data allows - 08Competitive landscape
8 to 12 company profiles with recent moves - 09Opportunities and risks
For new entrants, suppliers and investors - 10Method and sources
Every assumption and source, listed
Included with the full report
- PDF report, 40 to 60 pages
- Excel data pack
- Ready-to-use charts
- Method note and assumptions
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Frequently asked questions
How big is the EU performance fabric market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €172.8 million of goods under CN 60063200 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €136.7 million.
Where does the EU import performance fabric from?
China was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. Other large suppliers included Türkiye, Egypt, Korea, Republic of.
What is the average import price of performance fabric in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €4.08 per kilogram for CN 60063200 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most performance fabric?
Spain led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Italy, France.
How many US companies are in the performance fabric industry?
BLS counts 132 private establishments in NAICS 313240 (Knit fabric mills), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the performance fabric industry?
Eurostat counts 2,400 enterprises in NACE class C1391 (Manufacture of knitted and crocheted fabrics).
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