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Canadian Forest Industries three percent in 2023 to 833,000 tonnes but increased 44
EU imports of wood furniture from China were up only

percent to 1,196,000 tonnes in 2024. In the first quarter of this
year, EU imports of wood furniture from China were 147,000

tonnes, 27 percent more than the same period in 2024.
Imports of wood furniture from China have been rising
rapidly into all EU countries, but the gains have been particularly
dramatic in the Netherlands and Spain where they increased
by more than 50 percent in 2024 and have gained a further
50 percent in the first quarter of this year.
The rise in Chinese wood furniture imports into European
slowing in 2023 and the opening months of 2024, has also countries in 2023 and 2024 is partly explained by the fact
been rising since the middle of last year. that it followed a big decline in 2022 when Chinese exports

were seriously impacted by rigorous lockdowns during the
China drives rise in European furniture imports pandemic.
Close analysis of Eurostat data reveals that the recent And while high production costs are impeding the
growth in wood furniture imports into the EU27+UK has been international competitiveness of European furniture products
driven almost entirely by China. the competitiveness of Chinese products is benefiting from
Imports into Europe from China, after rising five percent continual improvements in technical performance, manufacturing
in 2023, increased by more 35 percent to 1.68 million tonnes efficiency and from increasing investment in advertising and

in 2024 and were up 27 percent to 470,000 tonnes in the marketing.
first quarter of this year. On-going trade tensions between China and the US, which
EU27+UK wood furniture imports from tropical countries, remains the largest export market for Chinese wood furniture
after falling by 23 percent in 2023, were up six percent to products, is now providing a strong incentive for Chinese
454,000 tonnes in 2024. manufacturers to diversify their export sales in other parts of
Imports from all other countries (mainly non-EU European the world, with Europe being a natural target.
countries and Turkey), after decreasing eight percent to 590,000 The accelerating pace of imports from China during 2024
tonnes in 2023, rebounded by five percent to 630,000 tonnes and the first quarter of 2025, at a time when underlying
in 2024 and by another six percent to 160,000 tonnes in the growth in European consumption is stagnant, may also be

first three months of 2025. related to EUDR.
Wood furniture imports from China have increased both European importers may be building stock in advance of
into the UK, the largest single wood furniture importing country that law being enforced, originally scheduled for 30 December
in Europe, and into the EU. 2024 but delayed until 30 December 2025.
UK imports from China increased 13 percent to 417,000 The full impact of EUDR on EU imports of composite
tonnes in 2023 and were up another 17 percent to 488,000 products like furniture remains to be seen but is likely to be
tonnes in 2024. In the first quarter of this year, they were very significant given the challenges of meeting the far-reaching

147,000 tonnes, up 26 percent compared to the same period traceability requirements. FDM
in 2024. ENQUIRY NO. 4001