Palestinian Furniture.. A Local Industry Facing the Cost of Raw Materials and Imported Competition

Hebron - Afaq News - The furniture and home and office furnishings industry is one of the industrial sectors directly linked to the lives of citizens and the needs of companies and offices. This industry emerged and developed in Palestine in response to market needs, and it now includes a wide base of craftsmen, professionals, carpenters, upholsterers, tailors, and engineers.

Expert in the furniture sector in Palestine, Rami Idris, states that the sector represents one of the essential sectors in the local economy, due to its connection to the needs of every home, office, and company. He points out that the development of the profession has contributed to meeting a large part of the market's needs locally, reducing reliance on imported products.

Idris adds that the Palestinian market includes diverse industries, including home and office furniture, sofas, bedrooms, and more, along with a wide network of professionals associated with this industry. He emphasizes that the sector's development has largely come in response to local market needs.

The importer competes with the local

However, according to Idris, this industry faces competition from ready-made imported products, which have entered the Palestinian market in recent years at low prices, putting pressure on local producers.

He points out that the comparison between local and imported products should not be based solely on price, explaining that there are differences in the level of quality, durability, and lifespan of the product.

He says that some imported products that enter the market do not necessarily meet the needs of the Palestinian consumer in terms of quality, while local industry has cumulative experience in manufacturing furniture that is characterized by durability and longevity, whether in sofas, bedrooms, or office furniture.

He adds that part of the problem is that the consumer views price as a primary criterion when purchasing, at a time when the differences in quality and lifespan of the product may be greater than the difference in price.

Why is the local product more expensive?

The Palestinian product also faces a recurring question from consumers: Why do the prices of locally manufactured furnishings seem higher than some imported products?

Idris primarily links this to the rising cost of production, explaining that the majority of the raw materials used in the furniture industry come from abroad.

He points out that wood and the materials used in manufacturing sofas, bedrooms, offices, and other production necessities heavily rely on imports, which raises the cost of the final product.

According to Idris, the cost is not limited to raw materials, as high-quality furniture production requires skilled labor and professionals, whether carpenters, upholsterers, or others, which also reflects on the product's cost.

He emphasizes that producing a piece of furniture of high quality requires skill and experience, and not every carpenter or upholsterer is necessarily capable of producing furniture at the same level of quality and finish.

Quality is not just a matter of appearance.

Idris believes that the discussion about local products should not be limited to price, but should also include the quality of the materials used and their impact on consumer health and the longevity of the product.

He points to the importance of choosing good sponges, fabrics, and suitable materials in the production of sofas, mattresses, and furnishings, warning that the use of low-quality materials may lead to problems for consumers, such as discomfort, back pain, or certain types of allergies, depending on the nature of the materials used.

He emphasizes that the quality of furnishings is not only related to their external appearance but also to the materials used in their manufacturing, the method of production, and their ability to last and be used for a long time.

The absence of specifications and standards.

However, one of the most prominent challenges raised by Idris relates to the oversight of the furnishings industry and the materials used in it.

He says that the furniture sector is not currently subject to a clear and effective system of specifications and standards for these products, expressing hope for a greater role for standards and specifications authorities, not only in monitoring locally manufactured products but also in imported products.

He believes that having clear and unified specifications can achieve greater protection for the consumer, while also providing fairer competition between local and imported products, so that competition is not based solely on price, but also on quality and specifications.

Product protection begins with the consumer.

Amid rising raw material costs, specialized labor costs, and price competition with imported products, the Palestinian furniture industry faces a difficult equation: how to maintain quality while competing on price in a market that relies heavily on imports for much of its production inputs?

Idris believes that part of the answer begins with consumer awareness, urging citizens not to make price the sole criterion when purchasing furniture and furnishings, but also to consider the quality of materials, manufacturing, and the product's lifespan.

On the other hand, his talk places another responsibility on the official authorities, which is to develop the system of specifications, standards, and product control, both local and imported, in a way that ensures the consumer knows what they are buying, and gives the Palestinian product a chance to compete based on quality and specifications, not just price.