• In 1999, the Canadian furniture industry was comprised of 1,748 establishments that employed 86,052 and shipped goods of own manufacture valued at $9.7 billion.
  
  
• While the number of establishments between 1990 and 1999 decreased by 32% from 2,571 to 1,748, total employment actually increased by 56.5% from 70,869 to 86,052. Employment has now reached a point where the average establishment size in the industry has increased by nearly 69% in only 9 years. These larger firms are more productive and by exploiting economies of scale, are better able to compete in international markets.
  
  
• The industry is heavily concentrated in central Canada with Ontario accounting for about 54% of industry shipments of goods of own manufacture, 36% of establishments and 48% of employment. Quebec accounts for about 26% of industry shipments of goods of own manufacture, 28% of employment and 37% of establishments. In 1999, industry shipments were $9.7 billion, of which 68.5% were exports. In the same year, the Canadian market for furniture was $6.5 billion of which 46.8% was supplied by the domestic industry and the balance by imports.
  
  
• Canadian production comprises 38% household furniture (including mattresses), 43% office and institutional furniture, 16% wood kitchen cabinets and counter tops, and 3% other manufactured products (blinds and shades).
  
  
• The export orientation of Canadian furniture firms (exports as a percentage of shipments) increased from 32.1% in 1992 to 68.5% in 1999.
  
  
• Canada exported $7.6 billion worth of furniture in 2000 - growing at an average annual rate of more than 22% over the 1990's. The U.S. continues to represent Canada's single largest export market, accounting for about 97% in 2000.
  
  
• Canada is the 4th largest exporter of furniture in the world and the number one exporter of furniture to the United States.
  
  
• The trade balance in Furniture and Fixtures steadily improved, year after year, from a deficit of $133 million in 1991 to a surplus of $4.2 billion in 2000.
  
  
• Between 1992 and 2000, exports of Canadian furniture increased by 405%.

Source: http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/SSG/rf03598e.html