The textile sector in the Valencian Community and Alicante region faces a mixed year, with exports dipping and local demand under pressure from inflation. The year’s decline interrupts a two-year recovery in a market that is tightly clustered around the l’Alcoià, El Comtat in Alicante, and Vall d’Albaida in Valencia. Combined exports reached 2.23 billion euros, down 2 percent from the previous financial year. Behind this fall lies weaker consumer purchasing power across Europe, raising concerns for manufacturing firms. The week ahead features a major gathering at the Frankfurt fair, the industry’s premier international event, where companies will assess how global markets are evolving.
The health crisis from the coronavirus left a notable imprint on the textile sector, with impact uneven by sub-sector. Home textiles, for instance, were more resilient amid quarantine and travel restrictions, as households renewed curtains, upholstery, and bedding. In contrast, firms heavily invested in hotel and restaurant fabrics faced much tougher times as hospitality activity paused to curb infections. After a downturn in 2020, the sector managed two years of steady growth, but the momentum did not extend into 2023.
Pepe Serna, president of the Association of Textile Entrepreneurs of the Valencian Community (ATEVAL), noted a year-end decline linked to weak foreign trade. Exports dropped 3.4 percent, totaling 1.066 billion euros. He emphasized that inflation erodes consumer purchasing power, and since many textile products are not essential, demand becomes more easily deferred. Domestic sales were unable to fully compensate for the overseas downturn, which kept overall growth stagnant.
A UV study highlights the effective response of the Alicante and Valencia textile cluster to the pandemic
In the pandemic period, one of the sub-sectors hit hardest was the household textiles segment, which maintains a strong footprint in the Alicante region through spinning and related activities. Serna explained that the post-pandemic sales decline, following two years of gradual recovery, raised some industry concerns but did not jeopardize the sector’s outlook for the near term.
Timing aligns with the opening of Heimtextil in Frankfurt, widely recognized as the industry’s flagship event due to its international reach. The fair is expected to attract more than 80,000 professional visitors from around the world, presenting the latest innovations. A total of 94 Spanish companies are participating, with 59 representing the Valencian Community. Serna described Heimtextil as a valuable platform to analyze market conditions for the new year.
Carlos Mazón confirms the Valencian presence in Germany
The president of the Generalitat, Carlos Mazón, confirmed attendance at Heimtextil in Frankfurt and underscored the aim to support the strategic textile sector’s commitment to innovation and exports. He highlighted how the region’s products continue to reach global markets, reinforcing the effort to expand international exposure and job creation in collaboration with the regional government. The message stresses that regional participants seek a broader footprint in international markets to sustain growth and employment.