PORTUGUESE FURNITURE MAKES ITS PRESENCE FELT IN THE UNITED KINGDOM

From January 18 to 21, the Portuguese wood and furniture industry will once again be in the spotlight in the United Kingdom, with six Portuguese companies participating in the January Furniture Show 2026, one of the most important international trade fairs for premium furniture and interior design. At the 2026 edition of the January Furniture Show, Portugal will be represented by Cardoso Leal, IBTW Portugal, Muranti, Ronfe, Temahome, and X8 Solutions Group, which will present their latest collections and solutions in furniture and interior design.

The Portuguese presence at this edition reflects the sector’s ongoing internationalization strategy and its renewed commitment to a market which, despite the challenges posed by Brexit, remains strategic and offers high potential for Portuguese exports.

UNITED KINGDOM REMAINS STRATEGICALLY IMPORTANT FOR THE SECTOR

The Portuguese wood and furniture industry has shown a strong ability to adapt to the new post-Brexit commercial context. In recent years, the sector has managed to maintain a positive trajectory in the British market, supported by the appreciation of differentiated design, production quality, sustainability, and industrial flexibility of national companies.

Aware of the importance of this destination, AIMMP – Associação das Indústrias de Madeira e Mobiliário de Portugal (Portuguese Association of Wood and Furniture Industries) continues to invest in international promotion activities in the United Kingdom, as part of Inter Wood & Furniture, a structured plan to support the internationalization of companies in the sector.

PORTUGUESE COMPANIES IN THE SPOTLIGHT AT THE JANUARY FURNITURE SHOW 2026

The fair takes place at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in Birmingham and has over 35 years of history. It is recognized as the UK’s leading business platform for the mid- to high-end furniture and interior design sector.

The Portuguese delegation will be located in Hall 1 | Stands: 1-E70 & 1-F80 and Hall 2 | Stand: 1-K30, reinforcing the collective visibility of the national sector among international buyers, architects, designers, and decision-makers.

BREXIT: AN ONGOING CHALLENGE THAT DRIVES INNOVATION

The post-Brexit context has brought new demands to international trade, particularly in terms of logistics, certification, and administrative procedures. However, this new framework has also driven Portuguese companies to innovate, optimize processes, and strengthen long-term commercial relationships with British partners.

“The United Kingdom remains a priority market for the Portuguese wood and furniture industry. It is a demanding, sophisticated, and highly competitive market that values design, sustainability, and the responsiveness of companies. Our presence at the January Furniture Show 2026 is a clear statement of the maturity and international ambition of the Portuguese sector,” emphasizes Vítor Poças, President of AIMMP.

“Despite the challenges posed by Brexit, Portuguese companies have been able to turn obstacles into opportunities, strengthening their position and gaining the trust of customers and partners in the United Kingdom,” he adds.

INTERNATIONALIZATION PLAN – INTER WOOD & FURNITURE BY AIMMP

Within the scope of Inter Wood & Furniture, AIMMP’s Internationalization Plan provides for the implementation of international expansion and diversification strategies for high-potential markets through a structured intervention program. Among other initiatives, and for 2026, the program has a plan for international trade fairs, which can be consulted on the website at AIMMP.

Over the years, this program has supported more than 400 companies through 195 actions in over 30 markets, with incentives of up to 50%, contributing to the growth of exports in the sector, which have doubled since 2010.

The operation “INTER WOOD&FURNITURE 2024-2025 – SUSTAINED INTERNATIONALIZATION OF COMPANIES IN THE WOOD AND FURNITURE SECTOR” is supported by the “COMPETE 2030 Operational Program,” Lisbon 2030, Portugal 2030, and the European Union. European Funds Closer to You.