Belgian carpet makers supplying the British market enjoyed their best month of the year so far in June, but still only managed to fractionally beat last year's total.

June carpet imports inched 0.3 percent ahead to £25.5 million from Belgium according to HMRC data compiled by The Furnishing Report.

That was the first positive month of 2018 so far, and narrowed the year-to-date (Jan–Jun) decline to 12 percent to £137 million.

Belgian manufacturers have suffered while rival carpet makers in nearby Netherlands have prospered. Imports so far this year are up 7.0 percent to £109.9 million from the Netherlands.

Though some way behind, Turkey is also making headway.

Turkish rug and carpet imports are already up 6.6 percent so far this year (Jan–Jun) at £36.5 million. The weakening Turkish lira might lead to even bigger increases in the second half as importers take advantage of cheaper goods.