The Italian Wood-Furniture Supply Chain Between Economic Contraction and Post-Pandemic Growth In 2024

Short: Despite an economic contraction of 2.9%, the wood-furniture sector is showing signs of post-pandemic recovery, with exports key to global competitiveness.

The Italian wood-furniture supply chain is facing a period of economic contraction in 2024, with a 2.9% decrease in turnover compared to the previous year. Despite this, the total value of 51.7 billion euros still marks a significant improvement of 19.6% compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019. This figure highlights how the sector has made significant progress in recovering economic growth after the difficulties imposed by the global pandemic.

The domestic market experienced a contraction of 3.3%, with a total of 32.3 billion euros, which constitutes 62% of the sector's overall turnover. This reduction in the domestic market raises questions about the attractiveness of Italian products within the country and the potential to stimulate domestic demand. Exports, although down by 2.1%, reached 19.4 billion euros, reinforcing the crucial role of cross-border sales in supporting the sector. These represent 38% of total sales, underlining the importance of foreign markets in keeping the supply chain competitive and resilient.

The Role of Exports and the Contribution of the Furniture Macro-system

Analyzing the contribution of exports more closely, interesting data emerges regarding the furniture macro-system, in which international sales exceed 52% of the sector. This data demonstrates how Italian furniture maintains a strong appeal on a global level, thanks to the quality, design and innovation that characterize Italian products. The ability to successfully penetrate foreign markets is a reflection of the established reputation that Made in Italy has in the furniture sector. This year, the event takes on even greater significance as it takes place at a time of economic challenge and serves as an opportunity to stimulate demand and consolidate commercial relationships on a global level. This highlights the economic importance of the sector not only in terms of production and sales, but also as a key segment of the Italian labor market. The goal is to stimulate recovery and sustainable growth through strategies that can strengthen the competitive position in foreign markets and revitalize domestic demand.

The calculations and analyses provided by the FederlegnoArredo Study Center offer a detailed and reliable perspective of the economic trend in the sector. This information is essential for devising strategies and business decisions that can guarantee future stability in the supply chain, with particular attention to exports and innovation as the main levers for facing the challenges of the global market.

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