GERMANY - In the first quarter of this year, the German furniture industry saw a decline in its export business. According to preliminary data from the Federal Statistical Office, furniture exports fell by nearly 9 percent to approximately EUR 2 billion.

"Our manufacturers have felt the impact of weak consumer sentiment and stagnant housing construction in key markets," said Jan Kurth, Managing Director of the Association of the German Furniture Industry. Around one-third of German furniture sales are generated abroad.

Significant losses were observed in almost all major European markets. In France, the primary market, German manufacturers experienced an 11 percent decline compared to the same quarter last year. Exports also dropped significantly to Switzerland (down 14 percent), Austria (down 20 percent), the Netherlands (down 11 percent), the United Kingdom (down 3.5 percent), and Belgium (down 13.5 percent). However, furniture deliveries to Italy, ranked seventh, saw an increase of nearly 9 percent.

Outside Europe, the results were mixed. Furniture exports to the United States decreased by 4 percent, while exports to China rose by approximately 8 percent.

German furniture imports were nearly 2 percent lower than the previous year's level, at around 2.5 billion euros. Poland remains the largest furniture supplier to Germany, accounting for 30 percent of total imports, despite a 9 percent decline in the first quarter. In contrast, China strengthened its position as the second-largest supplier, partly due to lower freight rates.