Italy reports decline in eyewear demand

Italian eyewear production has declined by over 10 per cent during the first quarter of 2009following a dropin demand which started at the end of 2008, according to Vittorio Tabacchi, head of industry body the Italian Association of Optical Items Manufacturers (IAOIM).

Tabacchi added that production in Italy during 2008 was also lower than the previous year down 6.4 per cent, totalling €2.597bn.He stated that the fourth quarter of 2008 had majorly impacted the trend.

In a statement, he revealed that exports of frames, sunglasses and ophthalmic lenses, which account for about 85 per cent of production, fell 4.7 per cent in 2008. Exports of sunglasses during 2008 showed the biggest decline, falling 6.9per cent compared to 2007 to just over €1,422, while at almost €735m, the export of frames showed a more moderate downturn of -0.5 per cent.