While the US is still the main market in the sector, imports also grew by 27.2% last year, predominantly Chinese products
The year 2024 presented both challenges and opportunities in foreign trade operations within the furniture supply chain in Brazil, which should be closely monitored throughout 2025.
Two key studies recently published by ABIMÓVEL (Brazilian Furniture Manufacturers Association)—the Furniture Conjuncture, which provides an overview of the Brazilian furniture and mattress industry, and the Export Thermometer, developed exclusively for companies associated with the Brazilian Furniture Project, an initiative in partnership with ApexBrasil (Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency)—help to better understand this scenario.
Highlights include growth in both exports and imports of furniture and mattresses in Brazil. Although the trade balance remains positive, the surge in imports, particularly from China, demands measures to maintain competitive parity and the attractiveness of Brazilian products in both domestic and international markets.
Exports Advance with Product and Market Diversification
According to surveys conducted by IEMI from official research sources, exports of finished furniture and mattresses reached $763.02 million in 2024, representing a growth of 3.8% compared to 2023. When including parts for furniture manufacturing, the amount reaches $870.20 million. Despite the modest growth, this is the third-highest export volume in the last decade.
The United States remained the largest consumer of Brazilian furniture abroad, receiving 29.6% of the total exports for the period, amounting to $225.89 million. However, this share is slightly lower than the average of recent years. Conversely, countries like Uruguay (10.9%) and Chile (6.9%) are emerging in the rankings, validating the strategic importance of Brazil’s furniture industry—the largest in Latin America—in supplying the region. European markets, such as the United Kingdom (5.9%) and France (2.5%), also ranked among the main destinations for Brazilian furniture and mattresses last year, along with other markets in Latin America and the Middle East that are increasingly prominent.
Globally, Brazil holds the 6th position among the largest furniture producers and the 26th in the list of the sector’s leading exporting countries.
Expanding Imports: The Other Side
While Brazilian exports of furniture and mattresses grew, imports also advanced—more significantly in 2024, totaling $298.16 million, a jump of 27.2% compared to 2023. China remains the main supplier, accounting for 73.8% of this volume: more than $220.01 million in Chinese products imported by Brazil in the furniture sector. Austria is in second place, representing just 6.6% of the total imported for the year; followed by Italy (6.0%).
The Chinese predominance can be explained, among other factors, by large-scale production, reduced labor regulation and costs, as well as tax incentives that make their products more competitive. However, reliance on a single supplier—whether for finished products, components, or other supply chain items—can make the national market vulnerable and dependent.
Irineu Munhoz, president of ABIMÓVEL, emphasizes that the issue is not merely to inhibit imports but to strengthen internal competitiveness and ensure the quality of the product available in the Brazilian market: “We need to balance this equation. It’s not about limiting activity, but about creating an environment of fair trade practices and protection of national production—encouraging a more innovative and efficient industry, capable of generating employment and income.”
Fairer tax measures, fiscal incentives aimed at innovation and sustainability, reduction of bureaucracy and costs, as well as investments in logistical infrastructure would also enhance these efforts.
“The fact is that this expansion in imports indicates a growing and competitive pressure from the foreign market. On the other hand, it’s important to highlight that Brazil has a strong and diversified furniture industry, which with incentives and both tax and non-tax mechanisms, can compete not only in price but also in quality, sustainable management, the use of certified materials, innovation, and design,” says Cândida Cervieri, Executive Director of ABIMÓVEL.
Historical Perspective and Post-Pandemic Adjustments
In the last three years, foreign trade in the national furniture sector has fluctuated. Among the reasons are the post-pandemic economic recovery, currency variations, and changes in consumption habits:
2022: Exports of $830.709 million; Imports of $191.889 million.
2023: Exports fell to $735.376 million; Imports rose to $234.423 million (-21.5% from 2022).
2024: Exports rose again to $763.023 million; Imports jumped to $298.164 million (-7.2% from 2023).
This movement demonstrates increasingly fierce international competition. The trade surplus, which was over $600 million in 2022, has diminished over the following two years ($464.92 million in 2024).
However, with consecutive falls in last November (-13.0%) and December (-13.8%), the share of imports in domestic consumption stabilized at 4.6% at the end of the year, indicating that despite pressure from international competitors, the Brazilian industry has been meeting domestic market demands (with apparent consumption in the country growing 11.4% from January to November 2024 compared to the same period in 2023).
What should be some focus areas in the industry?
Standardization and Competitiveness
Sustainability and Innovation
Commercial Intelligence
Innovation and Design
Participation in international fairs and trade missions
To learn about and participate in the actions promoted by the Brazilian Furniture Project as an importer, write to projetos@abimovel.com and executiva@abimovel.com.
FURNITURE: OUR BUSINESS!
Brazilian Association of Furniture Industries – ABIMÓVEL
Press Office: press@abimovel.com
