The positive trend in Italian woodworking machinery exports has been confirmed by new figures which show a 13% growth for the first half of 2004.
Acimall (the Italian woodworking machinery and tools manufacturers’ association) said data compiled by the National Institute of Statistics show the sector exported €611m worth of machinery during the period.
Markets experiencing the greatest boost were the Middle and Far East, up 80.6% and 56% respectively compared to a year ago, while eastern Europe recorded a 20.7% rise. Oceania continued its expansion with a 13.5% increase but a negative trend was recorded in the Americas and Africa.
Traditional markets such as France and Spain also fared well, with shipments jumping 25% and 31% respectively. Sales within the EU rose 12.5%, but the German market recorded a further 5.4% shrinkage.
Italian imports of machinery were worth €60.6m, 1.9% down on a year ago, with German imports down by some 14.7%.
