Vietnam’s wood, wooden furniture exports to hit only 13.5 billion USD in 2023
Processing wooden furniture for export to the EU. (Photo: VNA)
Vietnam’s exports of wood and wooden furniture will reach only about 13.5 billion USD in 2023, down 15.5% year on year, President of the Vietnam Timber and Forest Product Association (VIFOREST) Do Xuan Lap told a seminar held in Hanoi on December 21.
Co-hosted by VIFOREST, along with various associations and member organisations, and Forest Trends, the event discussed sustainable development and challenges facing the timber industry.
Lap said 2023 is a challenging year for Vietnam's timber industry. A sharp decline in consumer demand in key export markets such as the US and the European Union has resulted in a remarkable reduction in orders. Many businesses have been compelled to scale back production, and some even faced a risk of closure.
Major export markets are increasingly enforcing stricter regulations on the legality and sustainability of products. Specifically, the EU Timber Regulation (EUTR), effective from late June, stipulates that products imported into this market must ensure legality and do not cause deforestation. In both domestic and foreign markets, there is a growing demand for low carbon emissions throughout the supply chain to achieve net-zero goals. Products with high carbon content will face diminished competitiveness in the market, he said.
To Xuan Phuc, Managing Director of Forest Trends’ Forest Policy, Trade and Finance Initiative, said about 77% of Vietnam’s wood exports to the EU belong to wood furniture category (HS 9401 and HS 9403) while the remainders are wood and raw materials (HS 44). In the first 11 months of this year, the export turnover of wood and wooden furniture to the EU dropped by 32% year on year.
EU buyers did and will apply various voluntary sustainable production and consumption standards for wood products, such as those with the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification for sustainable forest management. Additionally, Vietnam and the EU have signed the Voluntary Partnership Agreement on Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (VPA/FLEGT), under which, Vietnam committed that all wood products exported to the EU are legal, he added.
According to the official, the industry’s growth will slow down, by some 10-12% next year compared the late quarters of this year. The key focus for next year is to establish an image of sustainable development for the Vietnamese timber industry, based on using certified wood and creating products with reduced emissions./.
Related News
Latest News
Vietnam remains attractive destinations for Japanese IT firms
15:42 | 08/05/2024 Import-Export
Pepper exports decrease in volume, increase in value
15:38 | 08/05/2024 Import-Export
Open credit flow to support import and export
09:30 | 08/05/2024 Import-Export
Import turnover increases by US$13.5 billion
09:30 | 08/05/2024 Import-Export
More News
Green production, trade will help wood industry increase export: Viforest
14:30 | 07/05/2024 Import-Export
Hanoi attracts over 1.1 billion USD in FDI in four months
14:28 | 07/05/2024 Import-Export
FDI flows strongly into manufacturing, real estate
14:26 | 07/05/2024 Import-Export
Maintaining recovery momentum amid uncertainties
09:09 | 07/05/2024 Import-Export
Make use of the most of favorable factors for economic growth
15:38 | 06/05/2024 Import-Export
Textile and garment businesses face difficulties due to lack of domestic supply
15:36 | 06/05/2024 Import-Export
Vietnam leads in export rice prices globally
15:34 | 06/05/2024 Import-Export
Production ensures export of 7.4 million tons of rice this year
14:30 | 06/05/2024 Import-Export
More businesses to join Vietnam E-Pavilion
16:34 | 05/05/2024 Import-Export
Your care
Vietnam remains attractive destinations for Japanese IT firms
15:42 | 08/05/2024 Import-Export
Pepper exports decrease in volume, increase in value
15:38 | 08/05/2024 Import-Export
Open credit flow to support import and export
09:30 | 08/05/2024 Import-Export
Import turnover increases by US$13.5 billion
09:30 | 08/05/2024 Import-Export
Green production, trade will help wood industry increase export: Viforest
14:30 | 07/05/2024 Import-Export