In the second quarter of this year, Italy reclaimed the second spot in global furniture exports, surpassing Poland, according to a report in Puls Biznesu. While structural changes have played a role, the ongoing recession in Germany—a key export market for Polish furniture—has also significantly contributed to the shift.
Poland has been a dominant player in the international furniture market for the past decade, achieving notable success, often at the expense of traditional competitors like Italy. Despite this, Puls Biznesu notes that Italian manufacturers have started regaining market share, particularly in non-EU markets, where Italian design and brands hold strong appeal.
While Poland still leads within the European Union—where one out of every six euros spent on furniture imports goes to Polish factories—Italy’s global reach, especially outside of Europe, has helped it surpass Poland in overall exports for the first time since 2018. In the second quarter, Italian furniture exports reached €2.9 billion, slightly edging out Poland’s €2.8 billion.
One major factor behind Poland’s recent slip is the economic downturn in Germany, which accounts for over 30% of Poland’s furniture exports. The future remains uncertain as it is unclear if this trend will persist, but experts suggest that some contributing factors, like Germany’s recession, could have long-term impacts on the Polish industry.