The competitive position of the Polish furniture industry is under pressure amid geopolitical instability and rising international competition. According to the report "International Markets: Furniture. Current Situation and Forecasts to 2029", published by PKO Bank Polski, the competitiveness of Polish furniture is weakening significantly. In 2023, Poland remained the world's third-largest furniture exporter, but challenges such as an unfavourable exchange rate, rising wages, and higher costs for raw materials and energy are eroding its former cost advantage.
Experts, including Krzysztof Mrówczyński from Bank Pekao SA, highlight the rapid quality improvements of low-cost producers, particularly from Asia. As a result, Polish manufacturers are no longer just facing price pressure but are also being matched, or surpassed, in terms of quality. The strong Polish zloty and weak U.S. dollar further complicate export profitability. Aleksandra Balkiewicz-Żerek from PKO Bank Polski notes that rising operational costs are increasing the strain on the industry.
At the same time, the global furniture market is expanding. Its value is projected to grow from €683 billion in 2023 to €864 billion by 2029. To stay competitive, Polish furniture manufacturers must refocus on innovation, efficiency, and product quality.
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