In a statement, the Portuguese Association of Furniture and Related Industries (APIMA) says that the 4% drop recorded in 2024 reflects “above all the slowdown in inflation” and points to “uneven behaviour in the main international markets”, highlighting the performance of the Swiss market, where sales increased 21.95% in annual terms.

Last year, France remained the main destination for exports from the cluster, with a 32% share, followed by Spain, with more than 26%, and Germany, with 7%, reflecting an increase of 3.52%.

The United States, with a share of 6%, and the United Kingdom, with 5%, recorded “a more restrained performance, reflecting a combination of internal and external economic factors”, while the Netherlands showed “a slight improvement” of 2%.

Although 2024 was a year marked by variations, APIMA highlights the results obtained in the months of October and April, which it says were the best of the year.

“These months demonstrate the cluster’s ability to adapt to market fluctuations and highlight the cyclical nature of export activity,” he says.