54% visitors from abroad - summary report

54% visitors from abroad

The uncertain economic situation in the furniture industry in some markets important for Polish furniture exports meant that this year the organisers could not be sure of the success of the Poznań furniture fair. ‘Although data from the pre-registration system suggested great interest among furniture buyers in coming to Poznań, only positive data after the first day of the event confirmed that the number of visitors would be at a high level,’ says Józef Szyszka, Director of the Meble Polska Fair.

Ultimately, the total number of fair participants amounted to 14,325 people, which means an increase by 4% compared to the previous year. The percentage of visitors from abroad also increased noticeably, this year accounting for as much as 54 percent of all visitors. It is an absolute record compared to all editions of that event. Previously, the highest result in this respect was recorded in 2022 – 53%.

The huge interest of foreign buyers in the MEBLE POLSKA Fair is not surprising, considering that Poland is still one of the leaders in furniture exports in the world. Every year, thousands of representatives of foreign purchasing groups, wholesalers and furniture showroom chains from all over the world visit the fair. It was no different this time – the MEBLE POLSKA fair was attended by visitors from 68 countries.

Geographical structure of visitors

The most important trade partner of the Polish furniture industry is Germany. This is where the largest portion of Polish furniture exports goes. Therefore, for years, buyers from Germany have been by far the largest group among foreign visitors. This year, German traders were particularly well represented in Poznań. They constituted as much as 18.2 percent of buyers from abroad – 15.9% a year ago. This time, the Czechs took second place – 7.9%. Guests from Lithuania, Romania, the Netherlands, Great Britain, Ukraine, Slovakia, Hungary and Latvia also participated in the fair in large numbers.

As usual, the exhibitors' stands were visited by a large number of visitors from Western Europe. There were also representatives of the furniture trade from key markets for the development of Polish furniture exports, such as the United States, Canada, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. Unfortunately, due to the conflict in the Gaza Strip, the number of merchants from Israel decreased by 2/3 this time.

The Meble Polska 2024 fair was visited by traders from virtually all continents. The visitors included merchants from such exotic countries as: Algeria, Argentina, Armenia, Bahrain, China, Ghana, Georgia, French Guiana, India, Jordan, Qatar, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mongolia and Uzbekistan.

Exhibition in 7 halls

There is no other place in the world where you can find such a comprehensive offer of Polish furniture manufacturers. The exhibition located in halls 3, 3A, 5, 5A (Home Decor), 6, 7 (secret rooms) and 8, covering the total area of almost 60,000 square metres. The thematic scope of the fair covered products from all price segments: upholstered furniture, case furniture made of furniture board and solid wood, chairs, tables and mattresses.

Leading Polish furniture manufacturers presented their offers. But not only Polish furniture was presented in the halls. For several years, the number of foreign manufacturers actively looking for global clients in Poznan has been growing. This year, furniture companies from China, the Czech Republic, Denmark, the Netherlands, Lithuania, Latvia, Moldova, Germany, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Turkey and Ukraine presented their offers in Poznań. Once again, a large group national presentation was organised by the Ukrainian Association of Furniture Manufacturers. ‘It is clear that the importance of the Poznań furniture fair in our region is growing. This is in line with our event development strategy. We would like the Meble Polska Fair to become a trade fair hub presenting the offer of furniture manufacturers from Central and Eastern Europe in the coming years,’ says Józef Szyszka.

As every year, the MEBLE POLSKA Fair was accompanied by the HOME DECOR Interior Design Fair. The exhibition featured new collections of standing and wall decorations, lighting, textiles, ceramics and other decorative elements.

A total of 335 companies from 15 countries presented their offers at the fairgrounds.

Gold for the best

On the first day of the fair, the winners of the Gold Medal competition received their awards from the Chair of the Jury, Professor Ewa Ratajczak, and the Vice-President of Grupa MTP, Elżbieta Roeske. 12 products were awarded statuettes:

• BALI – Multi-module Corner System with relax function – STELLA Sp. z o.o. POLDEM Group
• DIXON – Multi-module Corner System – STELLA Sp. z o.o. POLDEM Group
• Elipse – WAJNERT MEBLE Sp. z o. o
• GERRO – MEBELLA BEATA KOTOWSKA
• ILUSIO – Fabryka Mebli WERSAL Z.B.Ł. Kaczorowscy Sp. k.
• Gio Modular Furniture Collection – PUSZMAN Sp. z o. o.
• Twig Furniture Collection – STWD Roman Bilecki – THE BEDS THE BEDS – STWD ROMAN BILECKI
• RIMINI – MAZZONI Collection Tomasz Duczmal
• Bed CONCEPT Half-bed with a sofa – Lenart Meble
• ROMA – Furniture Collection – MAZZONI Tomasz Duczmal
• ROSTOCK – Fabryka Mebli TARANKO Aleksander Taranko
• Tiny Sofa – WAJNERT MEBLE Sp. z o.o.

Members of the competition jury additionally awarded two special distinctions. The Grand Prix of Grupa MTP for the most innovative product among all those nominated for the Gold Medal went to the Tiny Sofa manufactured by WAJNERT MEBLE Sp. z o. o.

According to the jury, the Gerro tables from Mebella deserved the prestigious Eco Prize.

Meble Polska 2025

The next edition of the MEBLE POLSKA Fair will take place as usual in the last week of February – from 25 to 28 February 2025. Join us!