European laminate producers saw sales plummet across the world last year.
Sales volumes for Association of European Producers of Laminate Flooring (EPLF) members saw a drop of 24% on 2021.
The fall was attributed to the hike in energy prices following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Sales volumes declined to 367.17million sqm.
Sales in Western Europe decreased by 22% (179millin sqm). The vast majority of the countries in the region have been affected by the international upheaval, with the exception of Andorra (+5%), Cyprus (+4%), Iceland (+10%), and Monaco (+24.5%). Belgium (-34.7%), Finland (-34.2%) and The Netherlands (-33.5%) saw the largest falls.
Eastern Europe saw a 24% drop in sales to 107.7million sqm, obviously lead by Ukraine (-55%), Macedonia (-48.6%) and Kosovo (-47%).
North America was the market least impacted with a drop of 2.4%. However, this was despite a 37% drop in Canada (to 8million sqm)
In contrast, Latin America is the market that suffered the most as sales volumes halved to 11.17milion sqm. Chile saw sales drop by two-thirds to 4.4million sqm.
EPLF’s sales in Africa declined by 33% to 3.8million sqm, Asia saw volumes drop 34% to 21.5million sqm and Oceania saw sales 16% lower at 3milion sqm.
with a drop of -16% (3.004.824 m²).
However, some countries stand out from the rest of the markets. EPLF members managed to increase their sales figures in Salvador (+235,5%), Panama (+226%), Brazil (+117%) in Latin America, Cape Verde (+655%), and Madagascar (+23%) in Africa, as well as Iraq (+131%), Philippines (+49%), and Malaysia (+40%) in Asia.
The association sales that despite the supply issues and the higher energy costs the sector is facing, members are confident that they will soon return to sales figures similar to those of 2021 when consumers’ enthusiasm for remodelling boosted the purchase of laminate flooring, during the pandemic.
