Italy's furniture and design sector has reinforced its position as Europe's leading producer, achieving an estimated turnover of €26.7 billion in 2025, according to analysis by Intesa Sanpaolo. The figure places Italy comfortably ahead of Germany (€21.7 billion), highlighting the continued strength of Made in Italy manufacturing and design.
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Despite a challenging global backdrop shaped by geopolitical tensions and rising energy costs, the sector has demonstrated resilience. After strong growth in 2021–2022, turnover stabilised, recording a modest 0.5% increase in 2025. This contrasts with declines in key European markets including France (-4.5%), Germany (-2.9%) and Poland (-0.3%), while Spain posted stronger growth of 4.7%.
Exports remain central to Italy's success, supported by a trade surplus of €8.4 billion. Growth was recorded in major European markets such as the UK (+5%), Germany (+2.2%) and Spain (+1.5%), while emerging markets delivered mixed results. Notably, exports to Turkey surged by 43.5%, while Canada entered the top ten destinations following a 9% increase in sales. Conversely, exports to the United States declined by 8.2%, and China fell by 4.7%.
Looking ahead to 2026, the domestic market is expected to see slight growth, supported by real estate activity and continued strength in tourism, particularly in the high-end segment. Increased demand for renovations and premium interiors is likely to underpin performance.
However, the report highlights the importance of market diversification. As global dynamics shift, Italian manufacturers are expected to target new opportunities in regions such as India, Latin America and Southeast Asia, ensuring continued growth in an evolving international landscape.
Source: www.fashionnetwork.com
