EUROPE - Germany and Italy, the leading countries in European furniture production had above-average growth of wooden furniture exports to markets outside EU in 2015.
Italian exports were up 5.5% to EUR 2.93 billion. German wood furniture exports were up 9% to €1.37 billion.
Total German furniture exports in 2015, according to the German Furniture Industry Association (VDM) grew 6.6% compared to 2014 and reached EUR 10.125 billion surpassing the EUR 10 billion mark for the first time ever. Exports to countries outside the EU, included an increase of 25.6% to the United States in 2015. According to VDM the weakness of the euro strengthened export growth as well as the positive reputation of the “Made in Germany” brand.
The Italian Center for Industrial Studies (Csil) reports a positive trend for the Italian furniture industry in its recent World Furniture Review Magazine. Both Italy’s domestic furniture consumption and exports increased in 2015.
Poland, the third European furniture exporter, reached EUR 791 million last year an increase of only 1.2% compered to 2015. Among other growing furniture exporting countries, were France (EUR 394 million) and Spain (EUR 322 million), with increases of 14.4% and 7.2% respectively.
