by Mann, Armistead & Epperson analysis also shows the country’s strong growth was boosted by high levels of wood furniture production
RICHMOND, Va. — Vietnam outpaced China last year as the largest shipper of household furniture and bedding to the U.S. market, according to data compiled by Richmond, Virginia-based Mann, Armistead & Epperson.
According to its import statistics published as part of its quarterly Furnishings Digest newsletters last month and in February, Vietnam shipped $10.4 billion in wood furniture, upholstery, metal furniture and bedding to the U.S. last year, up 21.6% from $8.6 billion in 2023.
This compares to $9.6 billion shipped from China, which was up nearly 2.2% from $9.3 billion in 2023.
Much of the disparity results from Vietnam’s significant foothold in wood furniture production, which outpaced China’s wood furniture shipments by three to four times in the second half of 2023 and 2024, according to the data.
In the same period, upholstery shipments were closer in total wholesale value, although China’s shipments in the second half of 2023 were higher than Vietnam’s, while Vietnam’s upholstery shipments were higher than China’s in the second half of 2024.
In the metal furniture category, which includes decorative dining, occasional and outdoor furniture products, China eclipsed Vietnam’s production significantly for the U.S. market. For example, its shipments ranged from three to nearly five times what Vietnam shipped to the U.S. market in the second half.
Mexico was the third-largest exporter of residential furniture and bedding to the U.S. last year, according to the data, shipping $2.7 billion during the full 12-month period. This was down 16.7% from $3.25 billion in 2023. Its strongest categories in order were metal furniture, upholstery and wood furniture in the second half of 2024.
Canada was the next largest furniture exporter to the U.S., shipping nearly $2.1 billion, down 5.2% from nearly $2.2 billion in 2023. Canada’s strongest categories were wood furniture, metal furniture and upholstery.
Italy was the next most important exporter to the U.S., according to the data, shipping $1.33 billion in finished goods to the market, level with 2023. Its biggest category was wood furniture, followed by upholstery and metal furniture.
Indonesia ranked No. 6 in the Top 10 furniture exporters to the U.S., shipping $1.32 billion last year, up 2.8% from $1.3 billion in 2023. Its biggest category was wood furniture, followed by metal furniture and upholstery.
Malaysia also ranked high on the list with more than $1.1 billion in shipments, up slightly from $1.08 billion in 2023. Wood furniture by far is its largest category, including laminate and paper bedrooms and promotional dining produced mostly in highly automated factories. Upholstery is a much smaller part of the mix, although much higher than mattresses and metal furniture.
India shipped $652.4 million in furniture to the market last year, down 2.7% from the $670.4 million it shipped to the U.S. in 2023. Its two largest categories based on second-half activity in each year were wood furniture and metal furniture.
Meanwhile, Thailand shipped $602.3 million in furniture to the U.S. last year, up 14.7% from $525.2 million in 2023, with its largest categories being wood furniture, metal furniture and upholstery, based on second-half numbers.
Taiwan ranked at No. 10, with $597.4 million in shipments, down 10.2% from the $665.4 million shipped in 2023. Its largest category includes metal furniture, which largely can be seen in occasional, home entertainment, dining and home office furniture categories.
Falling slightly further down the list was Cambodia, which is gaining traction as an upholstery producer. It had $309.4 million in furniture shipments to the U.S. last year, which was near what Vietnam shipped to the U.S. around 2003 before the antidumping petition shifted most bedroom and wood furniture from China to that country.
