Furniture imports during March 2024 increased on the same month last year while exports from the UK showed another month of growth.
According to the latest UK trade data, analysed by Big Furniture Group, total imports of furniture into Britain valued £707.3m in March 2024, up 3.4% from £683.7m against the same month the previous year.
Imports from the EU registered a decrease of 16.7% to £310.7m from £373.3m. Poland saw a decline of 9.2% and represented £63.6m, while Italy also fell 24% to £58.7m, alongside Germany, down 12% to £50.6m. Danish imports rose 2.7% to £14m.
As for outside the EU, total imports rose 27.7% to a value of £396.5m from £310.4m. Chinese imports were up 46% to £287.2m, while Vietnam was also up by 36% to £23m. Imports from Morocco increased 10% to £11.2m, while the USA was down 22% to £17m.
Moving to exports, the total value of UK furniture leaving the country rose 16.6% to £216.1m from £185.3m year-on-year. In Europe, exports rose 7.3% to £103.3m from £96.2m, with exports to Ireland rising 6% to a value of £22.3m. Exports to France saw an increase of 49% to £35.5m.
Outside the EU saw exports increased 26.6% to £112.8m from £89.1m. Exports to China were down 62% to £1.8m, while India rose of 317% to £4.2m. Exports to the UAE rose 67% to £11.4m, as did exports to the USA, rising 64% to £64.3m.
Full list of imports and exports by country and value
For the monthly data and all other annual changes across four main sectors of the market – including upholstery, mattresses, cabinet and carpets, download the full report below.