Italian Furniture Industry Calls for EU Energy Policy Reforms Due to Export Declines
The Italian furniture industry, represented by FederlegnoArredo, is calling on the European Union to reform its energy policies amid a decline in exports. President Claudio Feltrin emphasized that preserving competitiveness requires favorable energy policies as rising inflation, shipping costs, and high energy prices threaten growth across Europe. According to Istat data, Italian wood and furniture exports fell 1.4% in June 2026, following an earlier sharp decline of 10.1% the previous month. Key markets like the U.S., Germany, France, and the UK all saw significant drops in imports from Italy. The United Arab Emirates also dropped off as a top trade partner due to a steep export decrease. The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has further complicated matters for the global design industry, with exports to the region falling by 48.8% in March alone. FederlegnoArredo highlighted that geopolitical instability and fluctuating energy prices continue to challenge Italian furniture companies.
Topics: energy policy European Union (EU) exports decline Italian industry