yesterday at 09:58
,Poland
The Italian wood and furniture sector shows signs of resilience in a still complex international context. Despite a specific drop of 4.7% in August, cumulative exports in the first eight months of the year remained practically stable, reaching a value of 12.7 million euros, with a slight decrease of 0.2%.
The recovery comes mainly from the furniture segment. Industrial production grew by 4.3% in October and has accumulated a 4.1% increase between January and October, marking a trend reversal after two challenging years (2023 and 2024), following the exceptional boost of the post-pandemic biennium. Looking ahead to 2025, the sector anticipates a return to levels considered "more normal," supported by greater stability in the domestic market and incentives linked to construction.
The performance of the wood subsector is different: production remains practically stagnant, with a cumulative variation of -0.3% in the first ten months of the year, reflecting uneven development across its various subsegments.
Analysis by destination reveals a mixed picture in traditional markets. Among major European partners, France records a 2.4% drop, weighed down by weak domestic demand; Germany declines by 0.4%, and Switzerland by 2.8%, reaching 544 million euros.
Outside Europe, the sharp decline in China stands out, with a contraction of 10.9% to 293 million euros, in a context marked by a slowdown in the real estate sector and international trade tensions.
The United States, the second-largest market by volume, notes a moderate decline of 1.7%, to nearly 1.4 million euros. However, the trend has been uneven, with an advance in shipments to preempt potential tariffs, followed by a deterioration in demand during the summer. The sector's goal is to close 2025 with contained losses and confirm the structural strength of exports.
Meanwhile, several markets are cushioning the slowdown. The United Kingdom grows by 4.2%, and Spain advances by 1%. Increases are also recorded in the Netherlands (+7.4%) and the United Arab Emirates (+4.7%), though still with limited volumes. Geographic diversification gains prominence with Morocco, where exports rise by nearly 50% to 109 million euros, driven by investments in construction and hospitality; Turkey (+23.3%) and Portugal (+22.4%) also stand out.
By area, the EU27 reaches 6.5 million euros and grows slightly (+0.4%), despite declines in France and Germany. Exports outside the EU increase by 2.2%, supported by strong performance in the UK and Canada, while Mexico records a sharp contraction. Regionally, Asia declines by 8.4% and the Middle East by 3.1%, contrasted by the notable advance of Africa (+15.4%), with Morocco and Libya as the main drivers.
Looking ahead to 2025, forecasts point to a stable first half and a second half with greater potential for dynamism. In a still uncertain scenario, the main challenge will be to strengthen competitiveness through quality, innovation, and research, with the Salone del Mobile highlighted as a key strategic tool to consolidate the sector's international positioning.
