The Belgian furniture sector has demonstrated resilience in the face of ongoing market challenges, according to Fedustria, the federation representing the country's textile, wood, and furniture industries. While turnover remained under pressure in 2024 and the first half of 2025, production capacity utilisation has stabilised, signalling early signs of recovery.
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In 2024, the sector comprised 667 companies employing 8,739 workers, generating turnover of just under €2 billion—a 7% decline compared to 2023. Export accounted for 57% of activity, with France, Germany, and the Netherlands as the top markets. The downturn was broad-based: office and retail furniture (-8.5%) and mattresses and bed bases (-17.4%) were hardest hit, while residential and kitchen furniture also declined. Preliminary data for the first half of 2025 show turnover of €982 million, a further 5.7% drop, while export fell 10.1% year-on-year.
Imports and capacity utilisation also shifted: furniture imports decreased by 2.3% in the first half of 2025, though China remains the largest supplier with a 32.7% share. The sector's production capacity utilisation rebounded to 83.2%, recovering from a ten-year low, although investment intentions remained uncertain, with a 2.4% decline in the first semester.
Despite these challenges, entrepreneurial confidence improved between May and August 2025, as indicated by the sector's conjunctural curve, although it fell sharply in September. Consumer orders in the first eight months of 2025 were slightly higher than in 2024 (+1.5%), suggesting cautiously optimistic domestic demand.
Fedustria highlights ongoing innovation, sustainability, and circularity initiatives, particularly in eco-design, design for disassembly, and circular mattress solutions. Belgian furniture is recognised globally for creativity and quality, and efforts to strengthen international visibility continue, including a new partnership with TBS Design Gallery in San Francisco and upcoming Belgian Design Days in California starting 2026.
The federation also emphasises consumer awareness and well-being, referencing recent research demonstrating the positive impact of wood on stress reduction, emotions, and engagement, underlining the health benefits of wooden furniture in homes, offices, schools, and hospitals.
More information
Fedustria
Katja De Vos
[email protected]
www.fedustria.be
