What does it mean that Como export drops by 2.2% but Switzerland grows by 21.2%?

Como recorded a contraction in exports compared to the previous year (-2.2%), ranking among the six Lombard territories in distress out of twelve. At the same time, the Swiss market is the most dynamic for Lombardy, with export growth of 21.2%. For Como, geographically close to Ticino, this represents a strategic opportunity that is still under-exploited. UIL coordinator Lario Dario Esposito highlights: "despite the strategic proximity to the Swiss market (+21.2%), Como cannot benefit enough from this positive dynamic."

Which sectors are declining in Como and which are growing?

The declining sectors are textile-clothing-leather (-7.9%), chemical (-6.1%) and machinery (-5.5%). These are historically the pillars of the Como economy. Transport (+12.1%) and pharmaceuticals (+9.7%) are growing. According to the UIL analysis, this polarization reflects an ongoing structural transformation: those who innovate thrive, those who remain tied to traditional sectors struggle. For frontier workers working in textiles, the risk of employment contraction is real.

What does the increase in CIGS (extraordinary redundancy fund) of 14.9% mean?

The CIGS increases when a company faces reorganisations, restructuring or structural crises. It increases by 14.9% while the (ordinary) CIGO falls by 26.2%. This signals that the difficulties are not temporary, but require deep adaptations in the company structures. For those who work in Como, it means greater access to periods of extraordinary redundancy: the salary is integrated but communicates employment fragility. It is a sign of more serious suffering than a cyclical break.

How has the situation in Como impacted Lombardy as a whole?

Lombardy maintains 25.2% of total Italian exports and manufacturing accounts for 97% of regional exports. Total exports exceed 40.9 billion euros (0.0% annual variation; -6.5% cyclical), while imports stand at 42.8 billion (-7.5% annual), with a negative trade balance of about 1.9 billion. The regional average is supported, but only six out of twelve provinces grow. Como is among the suffering provinces, highlighting that the overall seal hides deep territorial rifts.

What are the most attractive markets for Lombard exports beyond Switzerland?

In addition to Switzerland (+21.2%), the European Union recorded a modest growth of 1.0%. The United States is down 4.4%. The Swiss figure emerges as the most positive and strategic for a province like Como that borders Ticino. However, Como's difficulty in fully seizing this opportunity suggests that innovation and qualitative adaptation are needed, not just geographical proximity, to compete on the Swiss market.

As an export -2.2%, Switzerland grows to +21.2% (cross-border guide)

Di Redazione Frontaliere Ticino · Published on 4 September 2026

Aerial view of Mendrisio district, border region between Ticino and Lombardy

The province of Como recorded an export decrease of 2.2%. Textiles lag behind by 7.9%, but Switzerland grows: +21.2%. UIL analysis on sectors and employment.

Context

In brief

Como export -2,2%, six Lombard provinces in difficulty
Switzerland +21,2%, the only market in strong growth
Textile-clothing -7,9%, CIGS +14,9%
Lombardy 25,2% national export, 97% manufacturing

What: Decline in Como export, sector fragility, Swiss export growth
When: 2026 data, annual and quarterly basis
Where: Province of Como, Lombardy, Swiss market
Who: UIL Lombardy, UIL Lario, Lombard manufacturing companies
Amount: Como export -2,2% annually; Switzerland +21,2%; Lombardy trade balance -1.9 billion

The province of Como enters 2026 with a struggling export. While Lombardy continues to account for 25.2% of the entire Italian export, confirming itself as the driving force of national production, Como records a 2.2% annual decline in exports. This is an alarm signal in a province historically rooted in manufacturing — which represents 97% of Lombard regional exports — and particularly dependent on textile and mechanical sectors.

According to the UIL analysis on the state of the Lombard production system, the picture is complex. UIL Lombardy General Secretary Antonio Albrizio specifies: "Lombardy enters 2026 with a production system still capable of growing, innovating, and exporting. The resilience of average values coexists with cost pressures, worsening expectations, strong territorial differences, and an increase in extraordinary layoffs. The phase is not recessive, but it requires preventive, selective, and participatory industrial policy."

…

Operational details

Como's suffering is not evenly distributed across sectors. While textile-clothing-leather fell by 7.9%, chemistry by 6.1% and machinery by 5.5%, two growing sectors emerged: means of transport (+12.1%) and pharmaceuticals (+9.7%). It is a polarization that highlights an ongoing structural transformation.

UIL Lombardy Confederal Secretary Vittorio Sarti analyzes the phenomenon: "At the sectoral level, there is a marked polarization of performance. Means of transport (+12.1%) and pharmaceuticals (+9.7%) are growing, while textile-clothing-leather (-7.9%), chemistry (-6.1%) and machinery (-5.5%) are lagging behind. On the market side, exports to Switzerland (+21.2%) and the European Union (+1.0%) increased, while those to the United States (-4.4%) decreased."

For Como, which historically is built around luxury textiles and precision mechanics, this fork represents a major employment challenge. Companies operating in shrinking sectors struggle to maintain stable employment levels, while growing ones are still insufficient to offset losses elsewhere.

A crucial indicator of structural distress is the performance of the redundancy fund. According to the UIL analysis, the total IGC decreases by 14.4%, the (ordinary) IGC by 26.2%, but the (extraordinary) IGC increases by 14.9%. Thelatter figure is particularly significant.

As Sarti explains: "Everything

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Key points

For those living in Ticino and working in Como, these data require practical reading. Employment opportunities are changing direction: textiles, which have historically attracted cross-border workers due to the wage differential, are in decline. The time to reflect on one's position and alternatives is now. UIL data clearly indicate where growth opportunities lie: pharmaceuticals (+9.7%) and transport-logistics (+12.1%). These are sectors that, unlike traditional textiles, invest in innovation and skills. A cross-border worker in Como considering professional retraining would find greater opportunities in these areas. At the same time, the positive data on Swiss exports (+21.2%) suggests that the Swiss market exists and is growing. But Como's difficulty in seizing this opportunity reflects a reality: geographical proximity to Ticino is not enough. Specific skills, certifications, and the ability to adapt qualitatively to Swiss standards are required. For those working in Como, this means: if your sector is in decline, investing in training to enter growing sectors (even in Como) is worthwhile. If your sector is stable but your employer is accessing CIGS, it is time to consider alternatives, including moving to a company with a better market position. The Ticino Option The Ticino economy, although not immune to negative cycles, benefits from a structural stability different from Italy. Swiss employers do not face the same production cost pressures as Italian companies, and employment protection standards (through Swiss law and collective agreements) are stricter. For a Como-Ticino cross-border worker, the phenomenon emerging from UIL data could represent an opportunity to reconsider their career path. If the Italian employer is struggling (declining sector, increasing CIGS), seeking work in Ticino with companies operating in more stable markets could offer more solid employment prospects. What to Do Concretely The first step is to check your salary and net monthly income compared to Ticino opportunities. A dedicated calculator allows you to simulate your net income in Switzerland, considering tax rates, AVS, LPP, LAMal contributions, and the refund system for cross-border workers. This gives you a realistic basis for evaluating whether a change of employer (from Como to Ticino) represents a gain or a loss. The second step is to monitor job opportunities. If you work in textiles or mechanics in Como, start looking for offers in growing sectors (pharmaceuticals, logistics, transport) both in Como and Ticino. Targeted research on regional job boards allows you to compare offers, gross salaries, and prospects. The third step, if you decide to change employers, is to verify your cross-border status (Permit G) and tax implications. The transition from an Italian to a Swiss employer involves changes in tax declarations, pension contributions, and health coverage. Consult your support tools to understand the procedures. To start, discover job opportunities in Ticino and growing sectors. Available tools allow you to compare offers, salaries, and conditions. The choice of where to work, in this moment of economic transition, is more critical than ever.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean that Como export drops by 2.2% but Switzerland grows by 21.2%?: Como recorded a contraction in exports compared to the previous year (-2.2%), ranking among the six Lombard territories in distress out of twelve. At the same time, the Swiss market is the most dynamic for Lombardy, with export growth of 21.2%. For Como, geographically close to Ticino, this represents a strategic opportunity that is still under-exploited. UIL coordinator Lario Dario Esposito highlights: "despite the strategic proximity to the Swiss market (+21.2%), Como cannot benefit enoug
Which sectors are declining in Como and which are growing?: The declining sectors are textile-clothing-leather (-7.9%), chemical (-6.1%) and machinery (-5.5%). These are historically the pillars of the Como economy. Transport (+12.1%) and pharmaceuticals (+9.7%) are growing. According to the UIL analysis, this polarization reflects an ongoing structural transformation: those who innovate thrive, those who remain tied to traditional sectors struggle. For frontier workers working in textiles, the risk of employment contraction is real.
What does the increase in CIGS (extraordinary redundancy fund) of 14.9% mean?: The CIGS increases when a company faces reorganisations, restructuring or structural crises. It increases by 14.9% while the (ordinary) CIGO falls by 26.2%. This signals that the difficulties are not temporary, but require deep adaptations in the company structures. For those who work in Como, it means greater access to periods of extraordinary redundancy: the salary is integrated but communicates employment fragility. It is a sign of more serious suffering than a cyclical break.
How has the situation in Como impacted Lombardy as a whole?: Lombardy maintains 25.2% of total Italian exports and manufacturing accounts for 97% of regional exports. Total exports exceed 40.9 billion euros (0.0% annual variation; -6.5% cyclical), while imports stand at 42.8 billion (-7.5% annual), with a negative trade balance of about 1.9 billion. The regional average is supported, but only six out of twelve provinces grow. Como is among the suffering provinces, highlighting that the overall seal hides deep territorial rifts.
What are the most attractive markets for Lombard exports beyond Switzerland?: In addition to Switzerland (+21.2%), the European Union recorded a modest growth of 1.0%. The United States is down 4.4%. The Swiss figure emerges as the most positive and strategic for a province like Como that borders Ticino. However, Como's difficulty in fully seizing this opportunity suggests that innovation and qualitative adaptation are needed, not just geographical proximity, to compete on the Swiss market.