Growth of U.S. furniture imports hits speed bump.

WASHINGTON -- U.S. imports of wood and upholstered furniture increased a relatively modest 4.3% through the first nine months of 2006 compared to the same period for 2005.

Led by China and Vietnam, which posted gains of 15.2% and 23.5% respectively, imports reached $13.658 billion, according to figures released by the U.S. Department of Commerce. China continues to draw away from Canada as the top source of furniture and wood components for the United States. China's shipments topped $6.7 billion and represented just shy of half of all U.S. furniture imports recorded through September 2006.

Vietnam, meanwhile, continues to play a more prominent rote as a furniture and component supplier to the United States. The Communist country, which ended 2005 as the fifth Leading source, climbed to third position with a nine-month shipment total of $740 million.

Italy, which has been supplanted by Vietnam, dropped to fifth as shipments declined 21.4% to $721 million. Brazil also took a large hit as shipments fell by 27.7% through the first three quarters of 2006.

U.S. furniture makers saw exports increase by 2.3% to $1.148 billion. The nation's furniture trade deficit reached $12.51 billion for the first nine months of 2006.

TOP 10 SOURCES OF U.S.
FURNITURE IMPORTS (in $ millions)

                       Jan-Sep 2006 vs.
                         Jan-Sep. 2005       % change

 1. China               6,772      5,879      +15.2
 2. Canada              1,956      1,936       +1.0
 3. Vietnam               740        599      +23.5
 4. Malaysia              714        653       +9.3
 5. Mexico                589        592       -0.5
 6. Italy                 567        721      -21.4
 7. Indonesia             559        542       +3.1
 8. Thailand              318        362      -12.2
 9. Brazil                263        364      -27.7
10. Philippines           200        200        0.0
Top 10 Total           12,678     11,848       +7.0
All Others              1,190      1,247       -4.6
Total U.S. Imports     13,658     13,095       +4.3
Total U.S. Exports      1,148      1,024       +2.3
U.S. Trade Deficit     12,510     12,071       +3.6

Source: U.S. Department of Commerce