The rate of furniture production during July decreased as did the monthly value in both domestic and exports.

According to the latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) data, the rate of furniture production dipped 2.4% compared to July, while also down 7.9% on July last year.

Overall, monthly production output fell by 0.3% between June and July 2022, reaching a level that was 1.3% below February 2020; this was the last month of “normal” trading conditions before the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Meanwhile, the value of the manufacture of furniture for July resulted at £875.5m, down 7.5% from £946.8m in June. Against the same period last year, the value rose 5.9% from £826.5m.

As for the value of furniture manufacturer exports, this fell 14.1% to £88m for the month from £102.5m, but did represent an increase on last year, up 43% from £61.3m.

Total gross domestic product (GDP) is estimated to have grown by 0.2% in July 2022 following a fall of 0.6% in June 2022, while also up 2.3% in the 12 months to July 2022.