# Furniture: Chokepoints and risks

Makers and sellers of home, office and outdoor furniture, mattresses and kitchens

Source page: https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/furniture/risks/

#### Chokepoints and risks

- US tariffs and trade uncertainty cut world furniture trade in 2025, hitting exporters that rely on the US, which takes about a quarter of imports^[1](https://www.worldfurnitureonline.com/report/world-furniture-outlook/)^,^[2](https://en.ilsole24ore.com/art/world-trade-furniture-drop-2025-AHYbznFB).
- Polyurethane foam depends on MDI and TDI from a few global producers (eight firms held all MDI capacity in 2020), so a plant outage moves foam prices worldwide^[4](https://www.process-worldwide.com/china-aims-to-conquer-the-global-mdi-market-a-1055389/).
- EU deforestation and timber-legality rules and formaldehyde limits raise compliance costs for panel and solid-wood makers.
- Bulky goods make furniture margins very sensitive to container and fuel prices.
- Housing slowdowns cut demand quickly, since furniture purchases follow home moves and new completions.

## Other sections

- [Overview](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/furniture/index.md)
- [Where ₹100 goes](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/furniture/cost-mix/index.md)
- [Price links with suppliers](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/furniture/price-links/index.md)
- [Example story](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/furniture/story/index.md)
- [Linked industries](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/furniture/linked-industries/index.md)
- [Value chain](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/furniture/value-chain/index.md)
- [Materials drawn on](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/furniture/materials/index.md)
- [Sources](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/furniture/sources/index.md)