Like the Domotex show held in Hanover earlier in the month, the IMM Furniture Fair in Cologne between 16 and 22 January highlighted the challenges facing tropical suppliers looking to increase their share of the European market, as pressure continues to mount from domestic manufacturers and non-wood materials. Demand for wooden exterior furniture, traditionally an important niche market for tropical wood products, is coming under pressure from other modern weather-resistant materials.
Continue reading “Indonesia Makes Big Impact at IMM Furniture Fair – ITTO European Market Report 15th February 2017”German Trade Shows Highlight Intensity of Competition – ITTO European Market Report 31st January 2017
The European trade show season is now well underway, starting in Germany during January with the Domotex flooring show in Hanover and the IMM furniture show in Cologne. The shows provide good insights into European wood market prospects in the year ahead.
Continue reading “German Trade Shows Highlight Intensity of Competition – ITTO European Market Report 31st January 2017”Slowing Pace of EU Tropical Timber Imports – ITTO European Market Report 15th January 2017
Latest trade data shows that the rising trend in EU import value of tropical wood products that began in the second half of 2014 levelled off in 2016. The stability in the euro value of tropical wood imports in the second half of 2016 may hide a slight fall in the volume of imports as European currencies weakened on foreign exchange markets during that period (which implies a rise in import prices).
Continue reading “Slowing Pace of EU Tropical Timber Imports – ITTO European Market Report 15th January 2017”