world news - 10.01.2005
Demand for kitchens could grow fast in Eastern Europe and Russia
The eastern European and Russian markets currently absorb about 1 million kitchen units, of which only half is of a comparable standard of European products.
In these regions, construction activities are insufficient to satisfy the strong demand for housing but even at the current levels of building (over 700,000 homes annually) it is suggested by analysts that the potential is there for greater consumption of kitchen furniture of a European standard. Kitchens in the countries of the area are of an average size of 50 square metres in the less developed areas but may be around 80 square metres in wealthier areas.
Over the period 1998 — 2002 demand for kitchen furniture rose in Eastern Europe but contracted in Russia and Ukraine (following a previous boom). According to CSIL data, kitchen imports from Western European countries currently amounts to around Euro 106 million.
At even modest growth in consumption and an improvement in GNP driven by domestic demand would allow an estimate of real growth in the demand for kitchens in the region of 15% over the next three years. This would translate into roughly 150,000 kitchens in 2005 with a further 100,000 kitchens in the subsequent two year period.
ITTO
See also:
- — USA: Sawmills expect 2005 modest decline
- — North American containerboard demand increased by 4.7% in November
- — China: Decade Woods orders new particle board plant
- — The price of standing timber increased by 60% in Romania
- — Pallet & Packaging: Short Timber Supply
