Chinese exports of mattresses growing

Until recently mattresses were manufactured and sold locally, being too bulky to be transported economically for long distances. New progress in vacuum packing of mattresses and in transport logistics is changing the economics of mattress trade, and imports and exports are becoming substantial. International trade of mattresses is worth about US$ 1.7 billion in 2006, it originates mainly in China, Belgium, Denmark, Italy, Poland and Germany and flows mostly to Germany, the US, France, Japan, Spain and the UK. In particular, Chinese suppliers are entering the US market. 28% of US imports of mattresses in 2005 were from China and data for the first half of 2006 indicate continuing fast growth of Chinese mattress imports into the US.

For 2006 and 2007 the forecast is for continuing growth of international trade of mattresses reflecting the increasing role of China in mattress manufacturing and exporting.

The article refers to the following CSIL Multiclient Report:

The world mattress industry