According to media reports, Italian manufacturers are suffering as a result of competition, particularly from Asian countries.

A government report on 2005 goods exports shows textile and clothing exports were down 5.2% and leather and shoe exports fell 6.2%. Despite this, chemical products and synthetic fibre exports increased 2.1% in 2005.

The overall fall in exports is said to be due to restructuring and high prices in comparison with new markets, leading to a decrease of 5.3% for exports to industrialised countries in 2005.