Page 22 - FDMAsia Nov/Dec 2025
P. 22

20    FOCUS                                                                       NOV/DEC 2025 FDM ASIA | www.fdmasia.com






         Flickr                                                 Limited domestic supplies coupled with booming retail
                                                             furniture, handicraft and hospitality sectors are driving demand
                                                             for newer species. Exporters are also increasingly sourcing
                                                             imported species to meet certification requirements in export

                                                             markets.
                                                                India’s booming construction, housing, furniture and
                                                             handicrafts industries are increasingly relying on  imported
                                                             forest products to expand output. The government estimates
                                                             51 percent of India’s population will be living in urban areas
                                                             by 2047 leading to a demand surge for furniture products.
                                                                India’s furniture market was valued at US$24 billion in
          INDIA                                              2023 making it the fifth largest producer and fourth largest
          A good monsoon boosts consumer spending            consumer globally with an expected annualised growth rate

          The 2025 India monsoon season experienced prolonged and   of 11 percent from 2023-28.
          above-average rainfall continuing into October, beyond its   Wooden furniture is expected to remain at the core of
          usual duration. The India Meteorological Department (IMD)   home furnishing demand as rising incomes and demand
          recorded eight percent more rainfall than average for the core   for high quality and distinctive designs are forecast to grow.
          June-September season.                                Dual income earning households, larger disposable incomes
            India's monsoon rains significantly influence domestic   and changing lifestyle trends among these consumers is
          consumption, primarily by impacting the agricultural sector,   driving growth for luxury and imported goods including luxury

          rural incomes and food price stability. A good monsoon boosts   furniture. Wealthy urban consumers are increasingly shopping
          consumer spending while a weak one can dampen demand   for goods online through various e-commerce sites.
          across the economy.
            A good monsoon leads to higher agricultural production   Indian economy forecast to grow at 6.6% in 2025-26
          and  increased  farm  incomes.  Since  a  large  portion of  the   The IMF released its revised projections following the effects
          Indian population (around 60%) depends on agriculture and   of US tariffs across various economies and the subsequent
          over half of the net sown area is rain-fed, the purchasing   deals made between countries amid growing uncertainty.
          power of millions of rural households increases with good rains.   With the effects of tariffs lower than expected, the IMF
            The monsoon drives consumer spending as higher rural   projects global growth at 3.2 percent in 2025, while slowing

          incomes  directly  translate  into  increased  demand  for  goods   to 3.1 percent the following year.
          and services. This surge in spending benefits many sectors.  The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has predicted that
                                                             India will continue to be one of the fastest-growing ‘emerging
          Booming construction and furniture industries rely on   market and developing economies’ in 2025-26, growing at a
          imported timber                                    rate of 6.6 percent according to the World Economic Outlook
          A 2024 GAIN report says India’s annual import of logs,   (WEO) report.
          sawnwood and wood products increased from US$630 million   This upward revision is attributed to strong economic

          to US$2.3 billion over the past two decades with US capturing   performance in the first quarter, which has more than offset
          a significant share.                               the effects of increased US tariffs on Indian goods.
   17   18   19   20   21   22   23   24   25   26   27