Imports slide again amid low demand
June 15, 2023
The slump in UK carpet imports from Europe continues for the fourth consecutive month as demand fails to lift the sales of volume ranges.
The latest figures compiled by The Furnishing Report from HMRC data shows the volume of carpet coming to the UK in April was down 19% year-on-year. This is a marginal improvement on the 24% decline reported for March.
Even high inflation in the sector doesn't mitigate the decline - the value of these imports was down by 15%.
Belgium continues its steep fall, 37% down by value, following factory closures in the Flanders region and some shift of manufacturing into Victoria's operations for the Balta business.
Other key exporters to the UK all showed a slide with The Netherlands down 7.4%, India 24% lower and Turkey down 2%.
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