Italian Plastics Market Strengthens Its Position

According to an analysis performed by the Italian trade group Assocomaplast, imports of machinery to Italy in the first half of 2016 indicated a strengthening in the Italian plastics market. Even if the trend in exports has been “much less impressive” in 2016, there are bright spots in regional markets for Italy’s machinery exporters.

Official ISTAT foreign trade data showed that imports were nearly 390 million euros in this period, which is a 9.7% increase comparing to the same period in 2015. In this context, Assocomaplast affirmed: “This would seem to reaffirm the signs of recovery in the domestic market that had shown up on the radar last year”.

Also, Assocomaplast President, Alessandro Grassi said that particular increases were seen in sales to the NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) countries. Specifically, there was a strong increase in exports to Mexico, as exports of injection molding machines to Mexico increased by 10.2% in the first half of 2016.

The group equally pointed out that:

- sales of flexographic printers to all export destinations increased by 19.4% in the recent half-year, with major orders from the US.

- extrusion machine exports rose by 1.9% and showed “a clear increase in sales” to Mexico and to France.

- in the same period, Italian machinery exports improved to China, India, South Korea and Vietnam. Sales in Iran also increased following the end of economic sanctions.

- in terms of imports to Italy, the data showed the biggest increase in molds, mainly from Germany. An increase was also seen in injection molding machines, particularly from Austrian and German manufacturers.

Source:

http://www.plasticsnews.com/article/20160927/NEWS/309289999/machinery-imports-to-italy-up-in-advance-of-k-2016 

Italy, Canada, Japan and USA Exports You Probably Don't Know About

Italy's exports are generally associated with olive oil, wine and pasta. But did you know that Italy exports about 400 000 000 tons of kiwis per year? Italy's exports of kiwi exceed New Zealand's exports of this fruit, New Zealand being considered one of the largest kiwi exporters.

Everyone knows that Greece is the largest producer and exporter of feta cheese. It may surprise you, but in recent years, Canada produces and exports tons of feta. Canadian feta is less expensive than Greek one and becomes more and more popular.

Whiskey production and exports are almost always associated with Scotland, but Japan has produced and exported high quality whiskey over the past decade, competing with the Scottish specialty.

We think that China is the leading producer of ginseng, but in reality the USA is the world's largest producer and exporter of this plant, the major part of the American ginseng being cultivated in Wisconsin.

Countries with no natural resource but, thrive to become world major exporters

Not all nations are created equally, countries that are rich in natural resources do not need to import as many raw materials. This allows them to concentrate on increasing their economic strengths through income gained from exports . Those countries who have few or noresources, import everything for their industries. Despite thatthough, there are currently 8 economies in the world who thrivedunder such environment. 

The article lists countries that don't have much resources by its own, but still managed to contribute at least $200 billion worth of exports to the world.

1. Japan Exports:

Japan is a beautiful country with beautiful nature. A mountainous, volcanic island country, Japan does not have sufficient natural resourches for its own needs. The country however, built up a very diversified, varieties of advanced industries that are among the world's most successful. Japan's major exports include automobiles, consumer electronics, computers, semiconductors, copper, iron and steel.

2. South Korea Exports:

 South Korea is one of the world's leading industrial powerhouse today. Major exports of South Korea include semiconductors, wireless telecommunications equipment, automotive, computers, steel, ships, petrochemicals, high tech electronics and information displays. The South Korean economy is still expanding at the fastest pace.

3. Italy Exports:

Though Italy doesn't have many bustling skyscrapers, it is one of the world's leading economies. The Italian economy is driven in large part by the manufacture of high-quality consumer goods produced by small and medium-sized enterprises.The main weakness Italy has is the lack of resources. Major exports of Italy include engineering products, textiles and clothing, production machinery, automotive, transport equipment, chemicals; food, beverages and tobacco; refined metals and high-end luxurious consumer products.

4. Hong Kong Exports:

Hong Kong, due to its size, has very little arable land and natural resources, so it imports most of its food and raw materials. Hong Kong is the world's largest entrepot, the city does not produce much, but it imports semi-manufacture, refine and assemble them, then re-export them.

96% of Hong Kong's exports are made up from re-exports. Major exports of Hong Kong include textiles & clothing, electronics, plastics, toys, watches and clocks.

5.Singapore Exports:

A leading entrepot like Hong Kong, 48% of Singaporean exports are made up from re-exports but unlike Hong Kong, Singapore has a strong manufacturing industries of its own. The tiny island produces 10% of world's semiconductor wafer. Major exports of Singapore include machinery and equipment, electronics, semiconductor, consumer goods, food & beverages, pharmaceuticals and other chemicals and refined oil. The rest are re-exports.

6 Switzerland Exports: 

Switzerland economy focuses on niche industries, specifically light and agricultural industries. Switzerland has very strong food processing and confectionery industry, producing multinational food company such as Nestle. The Swiss also excelled in luxurious watch-manufacturing, with well-known global brands such as Rolex and Swatch. Major exports of Switzerland include machinery, chemicals, metals, watches, agricultural products and foodstuffs, and the country is the 19th largest economy in the world.

7. Taiwan Exports: 

Taiwan experienced rapid industrialization which transformed it into the world's no.1 hi-tech electronics and semiconductor manufacturing hub. In the 1980s, Taiwan had become an economic power, with a mature and diversified economy, solid presence in international markets.By 2010, Taiwan replaced Japan as the world's top producer of semiconductor. Major exports of Taiwan include computers, electronics, semiconductor, flat panels, machinery; metals; textiles, plastics, chemicals; optical, photographic, measuring and medical instruments.  

According to the World Bank's ,Italy is the most diversified exporter in the world. Its top five export products amount to only 12.9% of all exports.