Knitted Fabric Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, 2021-2031F

The Global knitted fabric market is anticipated to expand from USD 35.31 billion in 2025 to USD 54.65 billion by 2031, reflecting a compound annual growth rate of 7.55%. Formed by interlacing yarns, knitted textiles provide a stretchy and adaptable alternative to traditional woven materials. Market growth is primarily fueled by a consistent consumer desire for adaptable and comfortable clothing, especially in the casualwear and activewear segments, coupled with a rising demand for environmentally friendly fabric options. Additionally, progress in knitting equipment, such as seamless and 3D technologies, improves material quality and broadens its use across multiple industries. Data from the International Textile Manufacturers Federation highlights robust sector activity, with worldwide textile capacity utilization hitting 72% in May 2025.

Despite this positive trajectory, market growth is hindered by unpredictable pricing for essential raw materials, including polyester and cotton fibers, which can severely affect production expenses and profit margins. These price swings create significant unpredictability for manufacturers attempting to manage intricate supply chain operations.

Market Driver

A major catalyst for the global knitted fabric market is the rising consumer appetite for adaptable and comfortable clothing. Shoppers increasingly favor garments that provide breathability, flexibility, and unrestricted movement, characteristics naturally found in knitted textiles. This inclination is especially prominent in the booming performance wear and athleisure markets, where knits are favored for their moisture management, elasticity, and softness. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics revealed that US apparel prices increased by 3.4 percent year-over-year in March 2026, outpacing the general 3.3 percent inflation rate and highlighting ongoing spending on apparel types that heavily rely on knits. This enduring demand pushes forward technological advancements in knitting, resulting in materials that satisfy both performance and style needs for active, casual, and select formal attire.

An escalating shift toward environmentally responsible textile options serves as another major market stimulant. Heightened ecological consciousness is prompting buyers and producers alike to pursue materials and manufacturing methods that lower environmental footprints. Consequently, fabric makers are integrating biodegradable, recycled, and organic fibers into their lines, while also utilizing more efficient finishing and dyeing processes. The GOTS 2024 Annual Report noted a 5.2 percent rise in certified facilities from the previous year, totaling 15,441 across 87 nations, underscoring a deepening dedication to organic standards. This movement toward ethical production makes knitted fabrics highly appealing in light of worldwide sustainability objectives, further supported by the Lenzing Group's March 2026 report showing its Fiber Division generated EUR 1.9 billion in 2025, reflecting strong performance in raw material supplies for this sector.

Market Challenge

A primary obstacle to the ongoing expansion of the global knitted fabric market is the unstable pricing of essential raw materials, notably polyester and cotton. These erratic price shifts lead to higher production expenses, severely hindering manufacturers' ability to keep operational costs steady and secure reliable profit margins. This financial volatility injects a high degree of unpredictability into pricing models and production schedules, which can weaken competitive positioning and create friction within supply chain networks.

Such difficulties restrict industry growth by inflicting financial strain throughout the entire value chain. Reports from corporate and textile association sources in March 2026 indicated that more than half of Indian textile producers faced a 20-25 percent hike in overall input costs, driven by a nearly 20 percent spike in polyester prices alone. These steep increases in material expenses force companies to either raise the retail prices of their finished knitted goods, potentially lowering buyer demand, or absorb the extra costs themselves, thereby diminishing profitability and restricting capital available for future growth and innovation.

Market Trends

The evolution of seamless and 3D knitting technologies is revolutionizing manufacturing within the global knitted fabric sector, allowing producers to craft complex, contoured apparel with significantly reduced material waste. By producing entire garments in one continuous step, these methods bypass conventional cut-and-sew techniques, boosting both comfort and creative versatility.

Nevertheless, the integration of these technologies is uneven and subject to regional economic hurdles. As noted in a February 2026 leadership statement from Shima Seiki Mfg., Ltd., sales of their WHOLEGARMENT flat knitting machines dropped by 10.3 percent year-over-year for the fiscal year concluding in March 2025, primarily because of weakened demand in Italy and China. This demonstrates that macroeconomic factors and regional demand still dictate the commercial success of advanced knitting equipment.

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital technologies is radically altering knitwear manufacturing, yielding higher operational efficiency and flexibility. Software driven by AI accelerates the design phase, enabling faster prototyping and the creation of elaborate patterns, while automated systems smooth out factory floor operations. This technological shift also improves quality assurance and predictive machine maintenance, reducing downtime and optimizing resource utilization. An April 2026 study by the VDMA Textile Care, Fabric and Leather Technologies Association reported an 8.8 percent real-term year-over-year increase in segment order intakes between March 2025 and February 2026, emphasizing the industry's massive capital commitment to smart, interconnected manufacturing infrastructures designed to keep pace with changing consumer expectations.

Key Market Players

• Baltex
• Jong Stit Co. Ltd.
• Georg and Otto Friedrich GmbH
• Zhejiang Chaoda Warp Knitting Co. Ltd.
• Abhinandan Knits Pvt. Ltd.
• Haining Jinmao Warp Knitting Co. Ltd.
• Lear Corporation
• Loyal Textile Mills Ltd.
• Toray Industries Inc.
• Pacific Textiles Holdings Limited

Report Scope

In this report, the Global Knitted Fabric Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

Knitted Fabric Market, By Product:

• Weft-knit
• Warp-knit

Knitted Fabric Market, By Application:

• Technical
• Household
• Fashion & Clothing

Knitted Fabric Market, By Region:

• North America
• Europe
• Asia Pacific
• South America
• Middle East & Africa

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in the Global Knitted Fabric Market .

Available Customizations

With the given market data, the publisher offers customizations according to a company's specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report:

Company Information

• Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to five).

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