#Raw Materials

2022-05-12

A comprehensive guide to the wool market

The global wool industry is thriving, diverse, highly sustainable and lucrative sector. For those working in or with the wool sector, it is important to understand its key facts and statistics. Here is a brief introduction to today’s wool textile industry. For a more complete picture, you can purchase a copy of International Wool Textile Organisation’s Market Information document – find out how here.

Understanding the Global Wool Textile Industry

Wool is a globally traded commodity, with 1,949.5 mkg (million kilograms) of it bought and sold around the world each year. It is a fibre with incredibly diverse uses. It is a primary input in sectors such as fashion, activewear, interiors, flooring, aviation, architecture and manufacturing. Its utility gets pushed even further every year, as research and development reveal more and more benefits.

The industry employs millions of people in a variety of roles, from farm hands to textile workers and retail staff. According to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), 300 million of poor rural families rely on small ruminants like sheep to make their living.

Wool Sheep

Most people don’t realise how many sheep there are in the world – or how many species exist. Roughly 1.2 billion sheep produce the world’s wool, and the sheep farming experts count no fewer than 1,000 different breeds. Merino or Rambouillet sheep produce the best wools for apparel, whereas Romney or Scottish Blackface sheep are chosen for their coarse wools which are used for décor and carpets.

The Role of The IWTO

The IWTO is the primary global body for the wool trade, industry, advocacy and networking. A major part of the organisation’s role consists of compiling reliable statistics. IWTO’s Market Intelligence Committee produces an annual compilation of the wool market’s facts and figures, spanning every area of the sector from farming to retail. The report is known simply as the IWTO Market Information, and is authored by a team of experts led by Poimena Analysis. This team collects and analyses wool industry data and generates charts and tables that explain the latest developments in wool production.

Learn All You Need to Know About the International Wool Industry

You can read a sample chapter from the IWTO’s Market information document or purchase the entire document here:

https://iwto.org/resources/statistics/

For more information on the wool industry around the world, take a look at the many fact sheets, statistics and guidelines on IWTO’s Wool Resources page:

https://iwto.org/resources/

Texprocess 2026: Automation, digitalisation and AI redefine textile processing

Making investment decisions in textile processing has become significantly more demanding. Increasing energy costs, a shortage of skilled labour and ongoing geopolitical uncertainties are compelling companies to focus on technologies that deliver clear gains in efficiency and process reliability. This applies equally to apparel manufacturing and to the processing of technical textiles and high-performance materials. As a result, modernisation initiatives are assessed more carefully – even as the need to upgrade production systems continues to intensify.

Techtextil 2026: Between innovation pressure & market reality

From 21 to 24 April 2026, Techtextil in Frankfurt am Main will once again become the central meeting point for the international technical textiles and nonwovens industry. Running in parallel, Texprocess will focus on the industrial implementation of textile processing technologies as the leading platform in this field. Together, the two trade fairs form a closely integrated presentation and working platform along the entire textile value chain – from material development to finished applications.

Between geopolitical pressure and industrial resilience

In this interview, Dr. Janpeter Horn (VDMA) discusses the current challenges facing textile machinery manufacturers, shaped by geopolitical tensions, regulatory developments and subdued investment. He also outlines why innovation strength, integrated solutions and strategic positioning remain key to global competitiveness.

New U.S. cotton study uses real-world grower data to reveal where fiber impacts occur

Cotton Incorporated has released a critically reviewed life cycle assessment (LCA) of U.S. cotton fiber production that examines how cotton’s environmental impacts are measured and where meaningful improvements can be made across the value chain. The new data, grounded in real‑world grower inputs, measures what drives U.S. cotton’s environmental footprint from field to gin.

China projected to increase cotton production, yields, and imports in 2026/27

World cotton production in the 2026/27 season is projected at 25.9 million tonnes, exceeding global consumption of 25.2 million tonnes, according to the May 2026 issue of Cotton This Month. That means both production and consumption are expected to remain close to current season levels, while global cotton trade is projected to decline by 2.7% to approximately 9.6-9.7 million tonnes.

ECCO introduces first shoe featuring innovative protein-based fibre

ECCO, in partnership with Spinnova, announces the launch of the limited edition ECCO BIOM® 720, a first-of-its-kind shoe utilising an often overlooked leather by-product, transformed into a protein-based fibre. The fibres are produced using patented technology that advances material innovation while reducing waste and supporting full resource use across the leather and textile industry.

Itema to showcase weaving excellence at ITM 2026

From June 9 to 13, Itema will exhibit at ITM 2026 in Istanbul (Hall 8 – Stand 806D), unveiling a distinctive exhibition concept designed to highlight the Company’s expertise across the entire weaving value chain. For this year’s edition, Itema will introduce an innovative stand experience built around two core areas: advanced weaving and spare parts solutions and an immersive textile gallery featuring fabrics produced by Itema Customers worldwide.

Last chance to apply: ITMA 2027 Start-Up Valley closes tomorrow

Applications for the Start-Up Valley at ITMA 2027 close tomorrow, offering young technology companies the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of several successful participants from the 2023 edition. The initiative, organised under the CEMATEX Start-Up Grant programme, has already helped a number of textile start-ups accelerate their transition from early-stage concepts to industrial partnerships, funding rounds and commercial deployment.