Preliminary reviews by the European Federation of the Parquet Industry (FEP) show European parquet consumption contracted by about 5%.
FEP says the results show some variation from country to country and even from quarter to quarter.
"However, the overall picture does not seem as polarised as it once was. Indeed, countries which were performing rather well and driving the markets upwards also seem to lose momentum," FEP said.
Central Europe remains the best performing region.
FEP did give some grounds for optimism, citing more positive EC economic forecasts. "There is no doubt that better days are ahead."
