GERMANY - Exports of German furniture developed positively in 2019 with an increase of 2.1 percent. Kitchen Furniture in particular accounted for the positive development, while exports to China declined significantly.

Imports maintained relatively stable compared to the previous year’s level (+0.8 percent). The trade deficit of the German furniture industry decreased by 7.24 percent or over 130 million euros.

“Our international competitive situation thus improved again last year and stabilized the overall situation of the industry,” analyzed Jan Kurth, Managing Director of the Association of the German Furniture Industry.

In France (export share 14.5 percent) and Switzerland (export share 10.4 percent), the two most important export markets, strong growth was achieved last year with 7.2 percent to a volume of 1.63 billion euros and 7.3 percent to exports of 1.72 billion euros respectively.

With growth of 13.1 percent and 13.4 percent respectively, Belgium (6th position) and the USA (7th position) had the highest growth in 2019.

Exports to China, however fell by 16.5 percent. Apparently due to the trade turbulence between China and the USA, which inevitably affected other countries and sectors. A positive change is hardly to be expected: at least in the first quarter of 2020, the coronavirus situation is likely to limit demand for German furniture in China.

In 2019, the German kitchen furniture industry achieved export revenues of 2.1 billion euros, which corresponds to an increase of 2.16 percent compared to 2018. Kitchen imports to Germany fell once again (-2.43 percent) to 95.35 million euros.