Panel Perspectives: Italian wood and panels overview | 43
According to the latest data available, building permits in 2024 covered 55,164 homes (-0.3% compared to 2023, when there were 55,309, plus 3,548 homes in extensions to existing buildings), excluding extensions for which information is not yet
available.This figure is slightly below 2019 levels. just over 780,000 in the following two years.
WOOD MACROSYSTEM The wood macrosystem had a weaker performance overall in 2024 when compared to the wood-furniture Supply Chain as a whole. The macrosystem recorded a -5.2% fall in turnover in 2024, with semi-finished products for furniture being the factor weighing most heavily on the negative performance. The wood macrosystem (excluding the Wood Trade) closed 2024 with a production turnover of €20.6bn. The overall figure is mainly determined by production for the domestic market, which accounts for 76% of the total and is worth over €15.6m, and closes at -6% due to an actual decline in production compared to prices that remained substantially stable compared to 2023.
The boost from numerous bonuses has been scaled back and economic uncertainties have significantly reduced demand for investment in private housing, only partially offset by the resilience of the non-residential sector. Exports are down (-2.8%), accounting for only 24% of the total. Imports are stable (+1.8%). The trade balance is down, with a negative balance of €677m. All systems recorded negative changes in turnover, albeit with different trends: Semi-finished products for furniture, panels, building products and packaging recorded the most significant losses. Some 29,063 Italian companies operated in the Wood Macrosystem in 2024, down (-3.7%) compared to 2023. The number of
Above: Saviola decorative wood-based panels
employees remained stable (-0.5%) at a total of 130,465. The wood-furniture supply chain has a shortage of raw materials and is highly dependent on foreign countries for timber. In 2024, imports remained stable: +1.8% change compared to 2023 for a value of just under €5.6bn, still above 2019 when they were worth less than €4bn. The main imports are involved with primary wood processing (logs and sawn timber: +16.6% change for an additional €233m) and panels (+12.5% change for an additional €160m). On the other hand, imports of semi- finished products for furniture fell significantly (-20.3% change for €158m less). In terms of markets, imports from Austria, the leading supplier with €1.3bn, remained stable, while those from Germany grew, recording the most significant increase (+34.8%). Poland and Romania, on the other hand, were the countries with the most negative trends.
FOREIGN MARKETS Exports from the Wood Macrosystem (excluding the Wood Trade) in 2024 fell to €4.9bn, a decrease of 2.8% in value compared to 2023. There was a widespread decline in all Systems except Primary Wood Processing (+9.8%), Building Products (+5%), Flooring (+12%) and Cork (+8.7%). The negative trend is due to decreases in Semi-finished products for furniture (-7.1%, a change of €186 million less) and Panels (-3.8%, a change of €38m less). On the other hand, the comparison with 2019 was positive for the macrosystem as a whole (+5.8%). France, Germany and the United Kingdom, while remaining the top three destination markets for the Wood Macrosystem, recorded the most significant declines compared to 2023. The United States, on the other hand, while maintaining its position, recorded the most significant growth (+10.9%).
A further decline in turnover was recorded
Above left: Investment in constructions. Current values in millions of euros. Total Construction on the secondary axis on the right. Above right: New homes from building permits. Years 2013-2024*
. Number of new homes by type.
www.wbpionline.com | December 2025/January 2026 | WBPI
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53
