GERMANY - The German furniture industry increased its sales in the first nine months (9M-2022) of this year by 10.7 percent to around 14 billion euros.

Domestically, there was an increase of around 10 percent, while abroad the German furniture manufacturers are turning over 12 percent more than in the same period last year, according to official statistics. The export quota increased slightly to 33.3 (previous year: 32.7) percent. The segments upholstered furniture, kitchen furniture and other furniture, which also includes living room, dining room and bedroom furniture, were able to increase sales at about the same rate (plus around 12 percent). The office and shop furniture manufacturers recorded an increase of 11 percent.

"The growth in sales is primarily price-driven and reflects the dramatic increase in material and energy costs," notes Jan Kurth, Managing Director of the Associations of the German Furniture Industry (VDM/VHK). However, demand for furniture has weakened noticeably in recent months.

When looking at the export business in the first nine months of 2022, the gratifying increase in exports to the United Kingdom with an increase of around 11 percent catches the eye. The British market recovered surprisingly quickly after the signing of the trade agreement with the EU and is the fifth most important export market for the German furniture industry. France is still number one in the ranking of the most important export countries with a drop in sales of 3.7 percent, followed by Switzerland with plus 5.9 percent, Austria with minus 1.7 percent and the Netherlands with plus 9.3 percent.

German furniture manufacturers were able to greatly expand their business in the United States, the most important foreign market outside of Europe. German furniture exports across the Atlantic climbed by around 20 percent from January to September – also due to currency effects. On the other hand, furniture deliveries to China, the second most important non-European market, fell by almost 13 percent.