Imports of Belgian soft floor coverings to the UK fell sharply again in April, continuing a downward trend that began earlier this year. According to HMRC data compiled by The Furnishing Report, the decline follows an already weak first quarter for Belgian exports to the UK.
While total UK soft floor covering imports posted surprising growth in Q1 2025 — buoyed by strong performances from the Netherlands, China, and Turkey — Belgian shipments were down 18% during that period. The start of Q2 brought no recovery, with April imports of Belgian carpet and rugs plummeting 38% year-on-year.
Overall UK imports of floor coverings — including carpet, wood, vinyl, and linoleum — dipped slightly by 1% to £127.9 million in April. Within this category, carpet and rug imports fell 4.5% to £74.5 million.
Turkey further cemented its position as the UK’s leading supplier of textile floor coverings, with imports rising 11% to £18.6 million. Vinyl flooring also performed strongly, with imports up 8.1% to £37.9 million, largely due to a rebound in shipments from China following a weak 2024.
The UK flooring market overall remains resilient, but the sustained drop in demand for Belgian carpet suggests the country’s once-strong position in the segment is facing increasing pressure.
