ANFAO Reports Italian Eyewear Exports Down 2.7% in H1 2026 Due to U.S. Market Contraction

Italian National Association of Optical Goods Manufacturers (ANFAO) data reveals that Italian eyewear exports fell 2.7 percent in the first half of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025. ANFAO attributes this decline primarily to a "sharp contraction" in the U.S. market driven by tariff policies and trade barriers. Total exports reached just over €2.7 billion, with frames down 1.1 percent to €830 million and sunglasses down 3.7 percent to €1.81 billion. Conversely, lens exports rose 6 percent to €68 million. Exports to the U.S. specifically dropped 25.1 percent, resulting in over €107 million in lost revenue. Despite the overall decline, monthly trends improved from -14.3 percent in January to +3.7 percent in June, supported by resilience in European markets.