Gloves Market

The global gloves market is projected to increase steadily over the next decade, driven by rising demand for gloves, mittens, and mitts worldwide. China leads both in consumption and production, with the United States dominating in imports and exports. The market is forecast to reach 3.5B pairs and $14.3B by 2030. Consumption, production, imports, and exports of gloves have shown fluctuations but are expected to maintain growth in the near future.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for gloves, mittens and mitts worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight years. Market performance is forecast to retain its current trend pattern, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +1.6% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 3.5B pairs by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +4.1% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $14.3B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Gloves, Mittens And Mitts

Global gloves consumption totaled 3.1B pairs in 2022, leveling off at the previous year's figure. The total consumption volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.3% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when the consumption volume increased by 7.2% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global consumption hit record highs in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

The global gloves market size dropped slightly to $10.4B in 2022, therefore, remained relatively stable against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). The market value increased at an average annual rate of +3.8% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $10.5B, and then dropped modestly in the following year.

Consumption By Country

The country with the largest volume of gloves consumption was China (552M pairs), comprising approx. 18% of total volume. Moreover, gloves consumption in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, the United States (209M pairs), threefold. Russia (204M pairs) ranked third in terms of total consumption with a 6.6% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume in China totaled +3.3%. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of consumption growth: the United States (+10.0% per year) and Russia (-4.5% per year).

In value terms, Turkey ($2.4B), China ($1.2B) and the United States ($530M) were the countries with the highest levels of market value in 2022, together accounting for 40% of the global market.

In terms of the main consuming countries, Turkey, with a CAGR of +36.4%, saw the highest growth rate of market size over the period under review, while market for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The countries with the highest levels of gloves per capita consumption in 2022 were Turkey (2,057 pairs per 1000 persons), Canada (1,554 pairs per 1000 persons) and Germany (1,009 pairs per 1000 persons).

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Turkey (with a CAGR of +38.9%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Gloves, Mittens And Mitts

After four years of growth, production of gloves, mittens and mitts decreased by -2% to 2.9B pairs in 2022. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the production volume increased by 5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global production reached the peak volume at 2.9B pairs in 2021, and then dropped slightly in the following year.

In value terms, gloves production shrank slightly to $7.8B in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.3% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 15% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global production attained the maximum level at $8.5B in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

Production By Country

China (728M pairs) remains the largest gloves producing country worldwide, accounting for 25% of total volume. Moreover, gloves production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, India (325M pairs), twofold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Russia (170M pairs), with a 5.9% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume in China totaled -2.5%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: India (+2.0% per year) and Russia (-5.8% per year).

Imports

World Imports of Gloves, Mittens And Mitts

In 2022, overseas purchases of gloves, mittens and mitts increased by 12% to 809M pairs, rising for the second year in a row after two years of decline. Overall, imports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 13% against the previous year. Global imports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, gloves imports expanded rapidly to $1.6B in 2022. Over the period under review, imports, however, recorded a noticeable downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when imports increased by 11% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global imports reached the maximum at $2.1B in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports By Country

The United States was the main importing country with an import of around 194M pairs, which resulted at 24% of total imports. Canada (65M pairs) ranks second in terms of the total imports with an 8.1% share, followed by Germany (6.6%). Russia (34M pairs), Japan (31M pairs), Italy (28M pairs), Poland (23M pairs), France (21M pairs), the Philippines (21M pairs), the Czech Republic (21M pairs), Chile (18M pairs), Spain (18M pairs) and Sweden (17M pairs) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Imports into the United States increased at an average annual rate of +14.3% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, the Philippines (+31.2%), Russia (+8.9%), Sweden (+4.1%), Italy (+3.4%), Spain (+3.1%) and Poland (+1.9%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, the Philippines emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the world, with a CAGR of +31.2% from 2012-2022. Canada and Germany experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, the Czech Republic (-2.1%), Chile (-2.2%), France (-2.9%) and Japan (-3.1%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. The United States (+18 p.p.), the Philippines (+2.5 p.p.) and Russia (+2.4 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the global imports, while Japan saw its share reduced by -1.6% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the United States ($379M) constitutes the largest market for imported gloves, mittens and mitts worldwide, comprising 24% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Germany ($131M), with an 8.1% share of global imports. It was followed by Canada, with a 7.6% share.

In the United States, gloves imports remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Germany (-1.6% per year) and Canada (+1.1% per year).

Import Prices By Country

The average gloves import price stood at $2 per pair in 2022, with a decrease of -3.5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price saw a perceptible downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 an increase of 6.1% against the previous year. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $2.8 per pair. From 2015 to 2022, the average import prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was France ($3.6 per pair), while the Philippines ($0.5 per pair) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Czech Republic (+1.5%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Gloves, Mittens And Mitts

In 2022, shipments abroad of gloves, mittens and mitts increased by 2% to 569M pairs, rising for the second year in a row after three years of decline. Over the period under review, exports, however, recorded a perceptible decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 4.9% against the previous year. The global exports peaked at 874M pairs in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, gloves exports amounted to $1.5B in 2022. In general, exports, however, recorded a perceptible slump. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 9.7% against the previous year. The global exports peaked at $2.1B in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports By Country

China (178M pairs) and India (153M pairs) represented the major exporters of gloves, mittens and mitts in 2022, amounting to near 31% and 27% of total exports, respectively. It was distantly followed by Pakistan (94M pairs), making up a 16% share of total exports. The following exporters - Bangladesh (14M pairs), Germany (13M pairs), the United States (10M pairs) and Belgium (10M pairs) - each recorded an 8.3% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Bangladesh (with a CAGR of +27.9%), while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest gloves supplying countries worldwide were China ($484M), Pakistan ($295M) and India ($226M), together comprising 67% of global exports. Germany, Belgium, Bangladesh and the United States lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 9.8%.

Bangladesh, with a CAGR of +34.6%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, in terms of the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Country

The average gloves export price stood at $2.6 per pair in 2022, surging by 2.7% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.2%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 an increase of 10% against the previous year. The global export price peaked in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in the near future.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Germany ($4.2 per pair), while India ($1.5 per pair) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Bangladesh (+5.2%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform