Higher production costs and growing imports are problems of the Polish furniture industry. As noted by the director of the National Chamber of Commerce of Furniture Producers (OIGPM), Michał Strzelecki, the sales dynamics have been decreasing for two years, which may soon lead to layoffs and closing.
During the meeting with journalists, Strzelecki explained that Polish producers raising product prices due to the growing costs, and “Imported furniture from Asia is cheaper“.
Difficult situation of the furniture industry
He cited data indicating that the average price of foreign furniture import in 2024 exceeded EUR 3.6 million per ton, which means a decrease compared to 2023, when it was EUR 3.8 million per ton. In the case of Polish exports, this price amounted to EUR 3.5 million per ton (in 2023 it was EUR 3.4 million per ton).
The representative of the Chamber also pointed to 6 percent A decrease in the value of the export of Polish furniture, which in 2024 amounted to PLN 59 billion. This translates into over 3.9 million tonnes of goods (-1 percent yaws). In turn, the value of imports amounted to over EUR 3.6 billion, and the volume of approx. 1 million tons. Both the value and volume of imports recorded increases compared to 2023, when its value amounted to less than EUR 3.3 billion, and the volume of 874 thousand. tone.
Strzelecki noticed that the export of Polish furniture to Ukraine and USA It increased by 6-8 percent, although he emphasized that this is the effect of a “low base”. – What hurts us the most are declines in our main export markets, i.e. Western Europe, mainly German he added.
Strzelecki indicated that Furniture exports to Germany fell by about 4 percent, which is “a very big challenge for the industry”.
He also reported that “furniture inflation” in January 2025 was minus 0.61 percent, which means that the goods were cheaper year -on -year. A record decline was recorded in October 2024 – minus 2.53 percent
Whereas The value of production sold in 2024 amounted to PLN 64 billioni.e. as much as a year earlier, but less than in 2022.
“The number of employees in the industry will continue to decrease”
He also drew attention to the increase in salaries and a decrease in employment. The salaries in the industry last year grew by 14 percent. yard Employment in the sector compared to 2022 fell by over 13 %, i.e. about 20 thousand. full -time.
According to him, employers are trying to maintain the level of employment, but – as he added – if the situation on the market does not change, then “Some enterprises will definitely close their operations this year“.
– This will of course be associated with the fact that the number of employees in the industry will continue to decrease – he noted. Indicated that Currently, the level of employment in the industry is around 142,000, while in 2022 it was 164,000. people.
According to the director of the Chamber, a big problem for the industry are also the exclusion and restrictions on the acquisition of wood from selected areas proposed by the Ministry of Climate and Environment. The ministry's proposal – in accordance with the government coalition agreement – is a protection of approx. 20 percent. forest areas in Poland. Strzelecki noted that the industry has “large reservations” about this proposal.
– Nature must be protected, it is obvious, but the question – how to do it effectively – said the representative of OIGPM.
He explained that the industry consists of Polish raw material and you cannot “introduce a revolution overnight”. In his opinion, a calendar of changes is needed, which will facilitate the preparation of the sector. – We don't have where to buy this raw material, and we will not take it from the Amazon, because it has nothing to do with ecology – summed up Strzelecki.
The issue of protection of forest areas
From the beginning of office, the new management of MKIŚ has reported several initiatives related to greater protection of forest areas. In January last year The so -called forest moratorium on the suspension or limitation of trees. It applied to 10 areas and originally was to apply for half a year, but in mid -June 2024 it was decided to extend it.
The ministry also plans to designate the so -called Social and valuable forests and old -fashioned forests, which from 2026 are to include at least 1 percent. area of state forests. In turn, in November last year The forests presented a proposal to protect with more protection 17 percent. forest areas located on the management board of the farm.
The National Chamber of Commerce of Furniture Producers was established on January 9, 1996 to represent the interests of economic entities associated in it and shape in the economic trade “the principles of good customs and fair competition”.
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