Even as exports of cotton yarns showed a marked decline, Central and Eastern Europe markets grew by 32.3 percent.
For the first quarter, Italian Customs Statistics revealed Italy's total cotton yarn exports dipped 12.3 percent.
Exports during the quarter touched 3,452,430 kgs and the rise was due to demand going up from Czech Republic and Romania, being the two largest export markets in the Jan-March period.
Croatia, Slovakia, Latvia, Bosnia, Herzegovina and Macedonia also imported cotton in quantities that helped achieve the current levels in exports.