The European wood flooring markets show diverse evolutions for the first quarter 2022 compared to the same period last year. While Italy, Scandinavia and Spain report still significant increases in demand, Benelux, France and Switzerland present flat evolutions. On the other hand, Austria and Germany are already experiencing decreases, reflecting the difficulty to fill in orders. This phenomenon is expected to be reported by all markets in the coming months as most of the European Parquet Federation's (FEP) members are facing issues of wood supplies.<\/p>\n
Issues of wood raw material availability & affordability are not new and are limiting the positive evolution of the sector since the outburst of the pandemic, but they are now getting even more acute with the dramatic evolution of the geopolitical situation.<\/p>\n
A significant part of oak supplies to the European producers of wood flooring comes from Ukraine and Russia. Besides wood logs, supply issues for semi-finished wood-based products are also reported.<\/p>\n
They were already due to a lack of workforce in Ukraine, international payment difficulties with Russia, transport difficulties with both countries, and countermeasures taken by Russia to stop its exports to the EU of some wood products. Additionally, on 8 April, the European Commission has prohibited imports of all wood products from Russia \u2013 that was already the case for wood products coming from Belarus.<\/p>\n
Finally, PEFC and FSC consider wood and wood-based materials from Russia and Belarus as \u201cconflict wood\u201d (FSC is also now suspending certificates for wood coming from Ukrainian war zones), wood originating from Russia and Belarus is \u201cpractically\u201d not EUTR compliant, and NGOs put pressure to stop any wood\/wood products trade flow with Russia and Belarus.<\/p>\n
In order to limit the impacts of the present crisis on the parquet industry, FEP urges the European Commission to take (temporary) safeguarding, mitigation and support measures, and adopt coherent policies allowing mobilization of EU wood resources and tools to keep oak logs in Europe.<\/p>\n
Q1\/2022 European wood flooring market overview <\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The European wood flooring markets show diverse evolutions for the first quarter 2022 compared to the same period last year. While Italy, Scandinavia and Spain report still significant increases in demand, Benelux, France and Switzerland present flat evolutions. On the … Continue reading
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\n Austria<\/strong><\/td>\n Despite a strong demand, the Austrian wood flooring market decreased by 7% during the first
\nquarter 2022 compared to the same period in 2021, reflecting the increasing difficulty to fill in
\norders. It is right now impossible to forecast the situation in the coming months.<\/td>\n\n \u2193<\/h2>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n Benelux<\/strong><\/td>\n Wood flooring\u00a0demand is present on the Benelux markets but materials are lacking. Energy costs are staggering and lots of uncertainties are present regarding the near future.<\/td>\n \u00a0\u2192 <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Fran\u021ba<\/strong><\/td>\n French\u00a0wood flooring consumption rose by 11% in 2021 compared to 2020, but the first quarter 2022 is showing a flat evolution as it is difficult to answer to the high demand.<\/td>\n \n \u2192<\/h2>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n Germania<\/strong><\/td>\n As stocks have been already depleted during the 2nd half of 2021, orders are difficult to fill in and\u00a0wood flooring consumption fell by 4% in Germany during the 1st quarter 2022 compared to the same period last year.<\/td>\n \n \u2193<\/h2>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n Italy<\/strong><\/td>\n The booming Italian market progressed by 10% during the first quarter 2022 compared to the
\nfirst quarter 2021. There are lots of orders but the problem is to supply them. At that time, it is
\npossible to deliver with delays but in the coming months fulfilling orders will be a challenge.<\/td>\n\n \u2191<\/h2>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n Nordic cluster<\/strong><\/td>\n As in Sweden, but to a lesser extent, Nordic wood flooring markets are supported by postponed
\nprojects and renovation dedicated to new ways of living. They increased by 5-10% during the
\n1st quarter 2022 but this trend could reach an end after the 2nd quarter of the current year.<\/td>\n\n \u2191<\/h2>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n Spain<\/strong><\/td>\n Spanish consumption rose by 3% in 2021 compared to 2020. The same increase is observed during the 1st quarter 2022 compared to the 1st quarter last year. Nevertheless, increases in costs and lack of workforce are hampering forecasts for the coming months. Inflation could also reduce consumption in the 3rd quarter 2022.<\/td>\n \n \u2191<\/h2>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n Sweden<\/strong><\/td>\n The delays in and postponements of projects during the pandemic, and renovation, boosted
\nthe Swedish\u00a0wood flooring market by 10-15% during the first quarter 2022 compared to the same
\nperiod last year. This evolution won\u2019t probably last beyond the 2nd quarter of this year.<\/td>\n\n \u2191<\/h2>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n Switzerland<\/strong><\/td>\n Compared to 2020,\u00a0wood flooring consumption in Switzerland increased by 10% in 2021 but the evolution is flat for the 1st quarter 2022 compared to the 1st quarter 2021. Stocks are now very low. And a flat development is also forecast for the 2nd quarter 2022.<\/td>\n \n \u2192<\/h2>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n