KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) is seeking to strengthen the country’s furniture exports to the United States while exploring alternative markets to offset weaker demand, tariff uncertainty and rising production costs.

Matrade strategic planning division senior director Raja Badrulnizam Raja Kamalzaman said Malaysian furniture exports to the US declined 19.2% to RM3.77 billion between January and September 2026, from RM4.67 billion in the corresponding period last year.

He added that furniture exports to the US had fallen 24% in the first eight months of 2026, reflecting continued pressure on manufacturers in the market.

Raja Badrulnizam said Malaysia accounted for 2.3% of the US furniture import market, while Vietnam and Mexico commanded shares of 22.3% and 21.3% respectively, followed by China at 18.6%.