China maintains big lead as top furniture source

The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology had recently revealed that turnover in the furniture industry in China rose 13.8 percent year-on-year in 2012, compared with a 1.1 percent decrease in the previous. Profits increased 19.4 percent year-on-year in 2012.

Major furniture products saw export growth in 2012. Exports of wood furniture rose 8.8 percent year-on-year in 2012. Metal furniture saw exports edge up 0.8 percent year-on-year while plastic furniture saw exports increase 17 percent year-on-year, the ministry said.

Thanks to the growth, China remained the largest Asian exporter of furniture to the U.S. last year, according to the latest import figures from trade data specialist Zepol Corp.

Its $9.17 billion of cumulative shipments during the first three quarters of 2012 towered over even the next largest source country, Vietnam, which shipped $1.48 billion during that period.

Among the top Asian furniture producing countries, Malaysia was the next most important resource with $515 million in shipments followed by Indonesia at $439 million during the first three quarters.

In 2013, China likely will remain important in fabric and leather upholstery as well as middle to upper end dining and other categories such as occasional, home entertainment and home office.