KUCHING: Imports of tropical wooden furniture by the European Union’s 27 member states and the United Kingdom (EU27 + UK) declined by 2.6 per cent to 174,000 tonnes in the first four months of 2026, weighed down by lower shipments from Malaysia and Indonesia.
According to the International Tropical Timber Organisation (ITTO), imports from Malaysia, the second largest supplier, fell by 9.2 per cent year on year, while imports from Indonesia, the fourth largest supplier, declined by 11 per cent during the January to April period.
In contrast, imports from Vietnam, Europe’s largest supplier of tropical wooden furniture, remained steady at 77,000 tonnes. Imports from India rose by 7.8 per cent to 28,000 tonnes, almost matching Malaysia’s export volume, while shipments from Brazil slipped by 11 per cent.
The figures were compiled from Eurostat’s COMEXT international trade database and UK Customs data.
The ITTO Tropical Timber Market Report for July 16 to 31, 2026, said the United Kingdom remained the largest destination for tropical wooden furniture, accounting for 31.4 per cent of total imports into Europe, with volumes remaining virtually unchanged at 54,600 tonnes.
Imports into France fell by nine per cent, Belgium by 17.4 per cent, Denmark by 16.9 per cent and Poland by 11.8 per cent. Germany and Spain each recorded a one per cent decline, while Italy and the Netherlands registered increases of 8.6 per cent and 4.8 per cent respectively.
The report said the latest figures reflected an increasingly selective European market for tropical wooden furniture.
“Traditional solid wood outdoor sets face increasing competition from modular and mixed material products, while the stronger contract segment favours consistent specifications, shorter production runs and dependable project delivery,” it said.
A June review of the European outdoor furniture market by economic research institute CSIL identified the increasingly blurred distinction between indoor and outdoor furniture collections as a key trend. The shift is reflected in improved product finishes and the wider availability of weather resistant upholstered furniture.
For tropical timber suppliers, this is expected to intensify competition as outdoor furniture is increasingly required to combine the comfort and appearance of indoor furniture with lightweight construction, weather resistance and easy maintenance.
These requirements have increasingly favoured aluminium frames, synthetic fibres and engineered composite materials over traditional solid wood construction.
CSIL noted that the share of tropical furniture in Europe’s extra regional imports declined from 18.3 per cent to 15.6 per cent, signalling mounting pressure on conventional tropical hardwood furniture.
“Wood is unlikely to disappear from the category, but its role may increasingly shift towards visible components and detailing within higher value mixed material collections.
“Suppliers able to respond to this hybrid market while providing credible product level evidence of legal and deforestation free origin should be better placed to defend market share,” it said.
CSIL estimated the European outdoor furniture market was worth more than €3 billion in 2025 and expects it to contract slightly this year. Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy and France remain the region’s largest national markets.
Meanwhile, imports of wooden furniture from China surged during the same period.
EU27 + UK imports from China increased by 23.5 per cent to 741,500 tonnes in the first four months of 2026, with China supplying around two thirds of Europe’s extra regional wooden furniture imports and accounting for virtually all year on year growth.
By comparison, imports from tropical countries fell by 2.6 per cent, while imports from other suppliers remained unchanged at around 200,000 tonnes, indicating a further concentration of European import growth on Chinese supply.
The United Kingdom remained the largest destination for Chinese wooden furniture, with imports rising 17.3 per cent to 214,200 tonnes between January and April.
The Netherlands recorded a 44.1 per cent increase to 129,600 tonnes, while France and Germany imported 89,900 tonnes and 86,900 tonnes respectively. Belgium posted the fastest growth, with imports rising by 72.5 per cent.
“Imports into EU member states collectively increased by 26.3 per cent compared with 17.3 per cent in the UK,” the ITTO report said.
CSIL also noted that China’s growing share of the upholstered furniture market was driven by the aggressive pricing demanded by major volume retailers, leaving even lower cost European manufacturers struggling to compete.
The report added that renewed increases in oil prices and shipping risks in late July have introduced fresh uncertainty into global sourcing.
“Higher bunker, insurance and inventory costs will raise the landed cost of Asian furniture, although there is little evidence so far that the increase is substantial enough to erode China’s underlying price advantage,” it said.
