EU socks imports were valued at €2.15 billion in 2017, up 25.7% from €1.7 billion in 2013,
excluding trade between EU member countries. Socks imports of 190,200 tons in 2013, rose to
217,500 tons in 2017, an increase of 27,300 tons. More than 75% of imports came from two
countries – Turkey and China.
According to recently published trade statistics of Eurostat for 2017, Turkey had a 33.6%
share of the EU market, whilst China had a 38% share. In terms of quantity, China emerged
as leader thanks to price competitiveness and leads in synthetic fibre socks. Turkey holds a
strong position in cotton socks.
According to Eurostat data for 2017, the EU (28) imported a total of €2 billion worth of socks.
€ 814 million worth was made by China and €722.2 by Turkey. The combined share of the
two dominant countries was 71.5% in value terms.
