Jun 04, 2013. /Lesprom Network/. Malaysian furniture exports fell in the 1Q 2013. The Malaysian Furniture Entrepreneurs Association (MFEA) president Lor Lean Seng saying the 1Q performance is one of the worst for the furniture industry in recent years. Furniture exports for January and February 2013 amounted to RM1.088 billion ($357 million) representing a 9.3% decline from the same period last year, ITTO reports. 

Exports to the US were worth RM323 million ($106 million), down 5% compared to the same period in 2012.

Exports to other major buyers of Malaysian furniture such as Japan, Australia and United Kingdom also fell in the first two months of 2013.

Japan imported RM119.9 million ($39 million), down 13.7% over the same period last year while Australia imported 7% less at RM72.9 million ($24 million).

Malaysian furniture exports to the UK fell by a massive 23% in the first two months of the year to RM55.2 million ($18 million).

The MFEA president said the level of orders reported during the 2Q are not encouraging so export sales are expected to continue to be on the low side. 

Depressing news on furniture sales in the domestic market, where 1Q business was down 20-30%, is adding to the pessimistic outlook for the furniture industry.