Europe’s biggest exporter of violins? Not who you’d think
mainPress release:
Romania was the European Union’s biggest exporter of violins to countries outside the EU, with over 14,000 violins exported in 2018, according to data released by the European statistical office Eurostat on Violin Day (December 13). Romania’s exports represented 28% of the total number of violins exported by EU countries.
Romania was followed by Denmark (12,200 units exported, 24% of the total), Germany (6,400, 13%), the United Kingdom (5,000, 10%), Czechia (2,900, 6%), France (2,700, over 5%), Italy (2,500, 5%), and Belgium (1,800, 4%).
The EU member states exported 105 000 violins worth EUR 23.3 million in 2018, over half of which (52%, 55,100 violins) went to other EU countries. Exports outside the EU totaled 49,900 violins and EUR 16.7 million.
Donggaocun, China is home to at least nine big factories and more than 150 workshops that churn out about 300,000 violins, violas, cellos and basses, according to Chinese government figures. That includes about one-third of the world’s total violin production.
The quality has improved over the years and is now considerably better than firewood.
Probably quality standards have been raised after the performance of this piece left something to be wished for:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwlCD2y2tBA
Denmark??? 12,200 units exported, 24% of the total
Who are these violin makers in Denmark? Anybody knows?
Enescu would be proud
Sad to see the status of Italy.
Not sad for the violin owner. Even if it is a factory fiddle, it would still feel better if a colleague asked “what are you playing these days?” to be able to say “Italian.”
Not in the professional world, regarding modern instruments.
Sad not only in regard to violins…
Romania, is exactly who I’d have thought.
This doesn’t surprise me. The Carpathian region from Romanian to Czechia has always had a strong violin tradition.
I think it would be very interesting to also share the income related to these numbers. Probably some countries focus on top of range instruments.
Regards.