Enviro News Asia, Washington, D.C. — The United States remains one of the world’s largest furniture markets and offers significant opportunities for Indonesian exporters. In 2025, US furniture imports reached approximately US$52 billion, while Indonesian furniture exports to the country stood at around US$1.57 billion, accounting for roughly 4% of total US furniture imports.
The figures indicate that Indonesian furniture products have established a presence in the US market, but their market share remains far below their potential.
The opportunity was discussed during an online forum hosted by the Indonesian Embassy in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, August 20, 2026. The forum, titled “Navigating the United States Furniture Market: Market Access, Regulations, and Doing Business With US Buyers,” brought together 112 Indonesian furniture producers, including representatives of the Indonesian Furniture and Handicraft Industry Association (HIMKI) and the Indonesian Furniture Industry Association (ASMINDO).
Indonesian Ambassador to the United States Indroyono Soesilo said the US is a strategic market for Indonesia’s furniture industry. Indonesia’s global furniture exports under HS Code 94 reached US$2.28 billion in 2023, meaning that increasing Indonesia’s share of the US market could provide a significant boost to national exports, the wood-processing industry, artisans and small and medium-sized enterprises across the country.
Trade Attaché at the Indonesian Embassy in Washington, D.C., Ranitya Kusumadewi, said Indonesian producers should not focus solely on increasing export volumes. Instead, they should target higher-value market segments through attractive designs, consistent quality, legally sourced and certified timber, and stronger digital marketing supported by local partners in the United States.
Indonesia has several competitive advantages in this market. Products made from rattan, bamboo, teak and woven wood offer distinctive characteristics that align with growing US consumer interest in natural, sustainable and culturally distinctive furniture.
Dining tables, cabinet furniture, console tables, shelving, sideboards and living-room furniture are among the categories with substantial demand. US imports of these product groups reached approximately US$6.42 billion in 2025. Meanwhile, imports of dining chairs, living-room chairs, rocking chairs and sofa frames reached approximately US$7.38 billion.
However, entering the US market requires substantial preparation. Indonesian exporters need to understand changing design trends, quality standards, digital retail purchasing patterns and evolving trade regulations, including Section 232 and Section 301 policies. Rising logistics costs and high US mortgage interest rates are also factors that exporters need to consider.
To strengthen the competitiveness of Indonesian furniture SMEs, the industry needs to develop export-oriented clusters supported by wood-drying facilities, quality testing, design development, order management and export infrastructure.
If the creativity of Indonesian artisans can be combined with reliable production capacity and stronger market access, HIMKI’s target of increasing furniture exports to US$3 billion, or even US$4 billion, by 2030 could be achievable, with the United States expected to remain one of the key destinations. (*)
