The UNECE Committee on Forests and the Forest Industry (COFFI) released their Annual Market Review 2017-2018, together with several market statements by national governments in the UNECE region (which includes the sub-regions of Europe, North America and the CIS), in advance of their 76th session to be held in Vancouver on 5-9 November.

The COFFI review also highlights several trends in the European furniture sector with significant potential to impact on European trade in both hardwoods and finished wood furniture products.

The long-term shift in global furniture production away from the UNECE region to Asia, particularly China, is noted in response to lower production costs and rising demand in emerging markets. However, COFFI suggest this shift is now slowing “due to increased automation, demand by customers for shorter delivery times and increasing costs in previously low-cost regions.”