POLAND (Poland AM) – The value of Polish furniture exports to Russia may surpass € 200 million in 2013, according to Dziennik Gazeta Prawna. In 2009, Polish factories exported €70 million worth of furniture to Russia. By 2012 that figure had increased to €166 million.

Tomasz Wiktorski, the owner of B+R Studio and expert at the Polish Chamber of Commerce of Furniture Manufacturers, told the paper that Russia is set to become one of the top 5 key export markets for Polish furniture in the near future. Currently, it is in 9th place. In the past few years, exports have been rising by 40 percent annually, and should continue to do so this year, and in the near future, according to Mr. Wiktorski.
Some exporters fear that Russia could impose potential trade constraints, like raising tariffs. However, Mr. Wiktorski points out that by joining the World Trade Organization Russia undertook to lower its tariffs on imported furniture by 2018, so Polish manufacturers needn’t be worried.