European wood flooring consumption plummeted among European countries, with drops ranging from 15% to 38% in the first half of 2023 compared with the same period last year, according to the European Parquet Federation (FEP).
The largest decline, 38%, was recorded in Germany, while the lowest drop of 15% was in Switzerland. The FEP said the main cause of the “significantly decreased” demand for wood floors was low construction activity.
“Construction activity is hampered by uncertainties and high interest rates, which are not sufficient to contain inflation,” FEP stated. “Both European and imported parquet are impacted. On the other hand, there is still a demand for cheap alternatives to real wood flooring.”
The FEP did not anticipate improvements in wood flooring consumption until at least the end of 2024.
The FEP’s full report can be found here.
