EU wood flooring consumption falls again

Source:
ITTO
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While total EU wood flooring imports increased in 2014, the European Wood Flooring Federation (FEP) reports that consumption probably declined last year in many European countries.

According to an FEP estimate published by the international parquet federation Global Flooring Alliance (GFA), European wood flooring consumption fell 3.8% in 2014, after slipping 2.6% the year before. Consumption was 82.7 million sq.m in 2013 and is believed to have been around 80 million sq.m in 2014.

Considering the various European countries, the negative trend identified by FEP in France and Italy in its September market review has apparently continued through the final quarter of the year.

Wood flooring consumption in Germany and Austria was also slightly down from 2013 levels, after Germany had shown a positive trend in the early months of 2014. Swiss consumption was static last year, whereas Sweden and Hungary showed slight increases.

When it comes to wood species, the FEP sees a continuing dominance of oak in the overall sales mix, while the share of exotic woods has declined further. Wider boards and “natural look” flooring remains very popular, according to the FEP.

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