CIFM / Interzum Guangzhou

Asia’s Most Comprehensive Furniture Production and Woodworking Trade Fair

Fair Research Report | March 2026

CIFM / Interzum Guangzhou is the most comprehensive trade fair in Asia for woodworking machinery, furniture production, and interior decoration industries. The fair offers a one-stop platform where industrial suppliers from all vertical sectors can showcase their products and technologies while meeting professional buyers from around the world.

The fair is the China extension of Germany’s globally renowned Interzum Cologne (with over 60 years of history) and has been held in Guangzhou since 2004. It is organized concurrently each year with the China International Furniture Fair (CIFF), Asia’s largest furniture exhibition.

Visitor Profile

The target visitor audience includes the following sectors:

• Furniture manufacturers
• Furniture accessories producers
• Custom furniture companies
• Furniture wholesalers and retailers
• Machinery and accessory dealers/distributors
• Woodworking, upholstery, and mattress machinery manufacturers
• Interior designers
• DIY and construction products sector
• Wood and plastic product trading companies
• Research institutions and media organizations

Supporting Events

• Interzum Guangzhou Award: A prestigious competition recognizing the most innovative products and designs in the industry.
• VIP Business Matchmaking Service: Organized one-on-one meetings between exhibitors and target buyers.
• Seminars: Technical and commercial training sessions addressing current industry topics.
• International Lounge Areas: Dedicated networking spaces for international participants.

Strategic Location: Guangdong – South China

South China is one of the largest furniture production hubs globally. The Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area further strengthens the region’s production infrastructure. China serves as a critical industry hub, bringing together machinery manufacturers, raw material suppliers, and final furniture producers. The fair, held concurrently with CIFF, provides a significant platform for all industry stakeholders.

Conclusion and Evaluation

CIFM / Interzum Guangzhou continues to be the most comprehensive trade platform in Asia for furniture production, woodworking, and interior design. With approximately 180,000 m² exhibition space, over 1,659 exhibitors, and more than 220,900 visitors, the fair remains an indispensable meeting point for both international and regional industry players. Supported by Koelnmesse’s global expertise and its strategic location in South China’s manufacturing hub, the fair is expected to continue delivering high business value to all stakeholders in 2026.

Observations by AİMSAD General Secretariat

The following evaluations are based on on-site observations and meetings with industry representatives during the fair visit.

General Outlook and Scope

The fair was organized as a broad platform bringing together woodworking machinery, cutting tools, auxiliary equipment, machine components, furniture accessories, mattress machinery, MDF, veneer, foil, and related sectors. In terms of visitor density, the exhibition maintained a remarkable level of activity from the first to the last day, particularly in machinery halls, demonstrating its strong attraction power in the Asian market.

Turkey’s Participation

From the perspective of AİMSAD members, only EDDA Makine participated as an exhibitor. On the furniture accessories side, companies participated through the İDMİB UR-GE project, along with firms operating in chemical adhesives. Additionally, many AİMSAD members, furniture manufacturers, and project companies from Turkey attended the fair as visitors and held meetings on production collaborations. This highlights that the fair is not only a showcase platform for Turkish companies but also a strategic business development environment.

Market Dynamics and Trade Flows

Meetings held during the fair revealed important insights into global trade conditions. Due to escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran, the Middle East market has largely contracted. However, this decline has been partially compensated by continued sales to Russia, Belarus, Southern Europe, and Latin America, which have emerged as alternative markets.

Digital Marketing and Promotion Strategies

It was notable that the fair did not utilize traditional promotional channels in Turkey such as magazines, portals, or email newsletters. Instead, discussions indicated that promotional activities were primarily conducted through TikTok, WeChat groups, and WeChat Updates. This serves as a critical reminder for international fair participation and export marketing: advertising strategies must align with the dominant digital platforms and communication habits of the target market. While Western markets rely on LinkedIn or email, China and Southeast Asia operate through entirely different channels. Therefore, the media ecosystem of the target country should be thoroughly analyzed before planning international market development strategies.

China’s Woodworking Machinery Export Data

Analysis of the past five years shows that China is the undisputed global leader in woodworking machinery exports. In 2025, China’s total exports reached approximately $2.4 billion, accounting for around 25–30% of global exports. Its top export markets are Vietnam, the United States, and Russia. However, trends reveal notable shifts: exports to the U.S. declined from $464 million in 2021 to $241 million in 2025, while emerging markets such as Thailand and India have become new strategic targets.

From Turkey’s perspective, a significant upward trend is observed. China’s exports to Turkey increased to $47.6 million in 2025, moving Turkey from 17th place in 2024 to 13th place in 2025 in China’s export rankings. This rapid rise indicates a steadily increasing demand in Turkey for Chinese-origin machinery.