Metal office furniture market in Belgium

Earlier Report Observations

The Belgian metal office furniture market saw a consistent decline in physical volume from 2018 to 2023, with the market size falling from over 12.2 million units to 6.1 million units. In contrast, the market's value demonstrated a different trajectory, rising from $102.4 million to a peak of $117.7 million in 2021, indicating a shift towards higher-value products or increased prices, before beginning a gradual correction.

A significant market shift occurred in 2022, driven by the push towards a circular economy. The launch of the Relieve Furniture marketplace, facilitating the reuse of office furniture, and the enforcement of Belgian AGEC legislation—which mandates that 20% of public furniture purchases come from reuse or contain recycled materials—redirected demand towards refurbished items. This structural change directly reduced sales of new metal office furniture, contributing to a 22% drop in market volume that year.

The market adjustment continued into 2023, with volume declining further before stabilizing in 2024 at approximately 6.6 million units. The market value also stabilized around $106 million, suggesting the market is adapting to a new norm with a greater emphasis on reused and refurbished furniture within the overall mix.

Production metal office furniture in Belgium

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, Belgium's metal office furniture production was valued at 94 768 thousand US dollars, showing a gradual increase of 6.2% compared to the previous year. Production grew by 38.2% between 2017 and 2020, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 11.4%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 2.1%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018, at 32.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Belgium in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, K unit

Belgium's metal office furniture production volume increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 1 812 thousand units, representing a solid growth of 12.2% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 73.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 20.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Belgium in kind, 2017-2020, K unit

Exports metal office furniture from Belgium

Exports in kind, K unit

Belgium's exports of metal office furniture declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports amounted to 2 213 thousand units, reflecting a moderate decrease of 4.9% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 14%, with an annualized decline rate of 4.9%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 2 721 thousand units. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 14.5%, while the largest increase was in 2018, at 5.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Belgium in kind, 2017-2020, K unit

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, France, and Germany were the primary buyers of metal office furniture from Belgium, accounting for 35.7%, 24.3%, and 16.4% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, these three countries made up 76.4% of total exports in kind.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Belgium in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Belgium's metal office furniture export value declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 27 577 thousand US dollars, marking a decrease of 5.8% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 10.2%, with an annualized decline rate of 3.5%. The highest export value was recorded in 2018 at 31 544 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 7.2%, while the largest increase was in 2018, at 2.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Belgium in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, France, and Germany continued to lead as the top buyers of metal office furniture from Belgium in value terms, accounting for 43.1%, 31.5%, and 10.4% of exports, respectively. Collectively, these three markets represented 85.1% of total export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Belgium in value, 2017-2020

Imports metal office furniture to Belgium

Imports in kind, K unit

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 1.8-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Belgium imported 10 686 thousand units of metal office furniture, marking a decrease of 5.5% compared to 2019. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 13 386 thousand units. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 15.6%, while the largest increase was in 2018, at 83.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Belgium in kind, 2017-2020, K unit

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Denmark, and France were the main sources for imports in kind, accounting for 20.0%, 18.9%, and 14.2% of imports, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 53.1% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Belgium in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of growth, Belgium's metal office furniture import value declined. In 2020, imports totaled 41 618 thousand US dollars, corresponding to a notable drop of 11.5% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 15%, with an annualized growth rate of 4.8%. The highest import value was recorded in 2019 at 47 019 thousand US dollars. The largest increase occurred in 2018, at 18.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Belgium in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, three principal markets—the Netherlands, Germany, and France—together accounted for 63.5% of total imports in value terms of metal office furniture to Belgium.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Belgium in value, 2017-2020