Chinese furniture imports continue to rise despite factory closures and consumer downturn

28th January | imports | The closure of furniture factories across China is yet to quell the flow of imports into the UK. In the first 11 months of 2008, EU furniture imports from China climbed 25% year on year, although half of all Chinese manufactured furniture leaving the country is now funded by foreign countries, including many firms in the UK.

In total, China exported about £15bn worth of furniture in the 11 months to November 2008, much of which went to the US where sales climbed 21.7%. The high profile closure of factories in China, along with retailers increased propensity to buy closer to home following the weakening of the pound against other currencies, is yet to seriously dent China’s continued rise.

Many European manufacturers and suppliers now own factories in the Far East, or factor in products from China and rebadge them when they arrive on EU shores. Foreign funded, Chinese made furniture exports are now worth close to £8bn annually.