The Canadian Furniture Industry - An Overview

The Canadian furniture industry comprises household furniture, including mattresses (38.5 percent), office and institutional furniture (40.8 percent), wood kitchen cabinets and counter tops, (17.9 percent) and blinds and shades (2.8 percent).

In 2002, the Canadian furniture and related product manufacturing industry comprised 3 597 establishments, employed 105 869, and shipped goods valued at $13.3 billion. The industry is heavily concentrated in central Canada, with Ontario accounting for about 50 percent of industry shipments, 36 percent of establishments, and 42 percent of employment. Quebec accounts for about 30 percent of industry shipments, 38 percent of establishments, and 33 percent of employment.

Canada exported $6.9 billion worth of furniture in 2003, growing at a compound average annual growth of 13.1 percent since 1993. The United States represents Canada's single largest export market, accounting for about 96 percent in 2003. Canada is the 2^nd largest exporter of furniture in the world and the number one exporter of furniture to the United States.* Between 1993 and 2003, exports of Canadian furniture increased by 243.3 percent. In 2003, industry shipments were estimated at $14 billion, of which 49 percent were exports. In the same year, the Canadian market for furniture was $7.1 billion of which 66% was supplied by the domestic industry and the balance by imports. The trade balance in furniture and fixtures has steadily improved from a surplus of $668 million in 1993 to a surplus of $3.2 billion in 2003. The export orientation of Canadian furniture firms (exports as a percentage of shipments) increased from 40 percent in 1993 to an estimated 49 percent in 2003.