ITALY – Italy’s wood processing and furniture technology sector faced significant challenges in 2024, influenced by ongoing geopolitical tensions and the lasting effects of the Ukraine conflict.

Additionally, the sector struggled with the aftermath of unusually high demand in previous years, impacting overall performance.

Preliminary data indicates a drop in production by 8.3%, totaling EUR 2.43 billion, with exports falling 7.8% and domestic demand down by 9.5%. Imports also experienced a sharp decline of 40.2%, underscoring the strength of Italy’s domestic supply.

Nevertheless, Italy remains a competitive force in the global market, ranking third in wood technology exports, behind Germany and China. The trade balance stands at EUR 1.52 billion, a slight drop of 1.5% from 2023, with significant growth in exports to France, China, and Turkey.

Acimall Director Dario Corbetta pointed to labor shortages, slow generational turnover, and geopolitical issues as the primary challenges, all of which are impacting the industry. Key export markets for Italy include the US, France, and Germany, while imports from Germany and China have declined.