2022 marked by sharp volume declines

After several successful years, the laminate flooring market saw cuts in 2022. Members of the European Producers of Laminate Flooring (EPLF) encountered difficulties, which was reflected in generally lower sales volumes in most regions. This resulted mainly from the global energy crisis due to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine

Total EPLF sales in 2022 amounted to 367,169,430 m², a 24 percent decrease compared to 2021. Most regions were affected by this downward trend, with Latin America feeling the brunt of the sales decline at 11,175,159 sq m (down 51 percent compared to 2021). In contrast, sales in countries falling under the “other regions” category were largely stable, down 0.35 percent compared to the 3,527,908 sq m sold in 2021.

Sales in Western Europe were down minus 22 percent in 2022 (179,084,344 sq m sold). The vast majority of countries in the region were affected by the international upheavals. The countries that suffered most from the crisis in Western Europe were Belgium, down -34.7 percent and 6,019,139 m² sold; Finland, down 34.2 percent and 2,081,062 m² sold; and the Netherlands, down 33.5 percent and 14,158,495 m². The Eastern Europe region was hit even harder than its Western counterpart, with sales down minus 24 percent (107,745,587 sq m sold) compared to 2021. Macedonia (down 48.6 percent; 235,357 sq m sold), Kosovo (down 47 percent; 1,262,792 sq m sold) and, of course, Ukraine (down 55 percent; 3,798,536 sq m sold) suffered the most.

In North America, sales of 29,193,057 m² were only down by minus 2.4 percent. Meanwhile, the Canadian market suffered a drop in sales of minus 37 percent with 8,087,549 m² sold in 2022. The Latin American market again suffered the most, with sales volumes halving to 11,175,159 sq m sold (down 51 percent on 2021). The Chilean market was the most affected by this development (down 67 percent; 4,462,283 m²).

EPLF sales in Africa declined by -33% with 3,846,547 m² sold in 2022. Asia also saw a decline of minus 34 percent (21,504,454 sq m). The situation in Oceania is similar, with a decline of minus 16 percent (3,004,824 sqm).

Some countries again stood out from the rest of the markets. In Salvador (up 235.5 percent), Panama (up 226 percent), Brazil (up 117 percent) in Latin America, Cape Verde (up 655 percent) and Madagascar (up 23 percent) in Africa, and Iraq (up 131 percent), the Philippines (up 49 percent) and Malaysia (up 40 percent) in Asia, EPLF members managed to improve their sales figures.

Despite the supply difficulties and higher energy costs facing the market, EPLF members are confident that they will soon return to sales figures similar to those in 2021, when consumers’ eagerness to renovate during the pandemic led to significantly more laminate flooring being purchased. Meanwhile, members continue to innovate and offer consumers high-quality laminate flooring that is both sustainable and affordable with an eye on the future.