According to data from the General Department of Customs, Vietnam’s wood and wood product exports reached $13.5 billion, a 15.9% decrease compared to 2022. In 2024, the forestry sector aims to achieve an export value of $17.5 billion, representing a 21% increase over 2023. The key focus for 2024 is to build a sustainable Vietnamese wood industry brand, use legal raw materials, and transition to green practices to meet new international market standards.
Export Capacity of Wood and Wood Products
The value of Vietnam’s wood and wood product exports has shown consistent growth from 2017 to 2023. All information is below the chart:
Objectives for the Wood Industry 2025 – 2030
- Increase the number of wood processing and preservation facilities by 80%, achieving advanced technology and production capabilities.
- Expect a 100% increase in wood and wood product exports and domestic consumption sourced from legally obtained raw materials with sustainable forest management certification.
Main Export Items
In 2023, the main export items in the wood sector showed a decreasing trend, although the decline was mitigated by increased demand in the last months of the year. Leading the export value was wooden frame chairs, followed by living room and dining room furniture; wood chips; wood, panels, and flooring; and bedroom furniture.
The United States is the Key Export Market for Vietnamese Wood and Wood Products
With a total export value accounting for 54%, the United States is the leading importer of Vietnamese wood products. It is followed by China with 12.7%, Japan with 12.4%, South Korea with 5.8%, and the EU with 3.4%, among others.
Raw Material Imports
In 2023, Vietnam imported 4.44 million m³ of raw wood, valued at $1.506 billion, representing a 25.9% decrease in volume and a 33.7% decrease in value compared to 2022.
Handicrafts
In 2023, Vietnam’s exports of ceramic handicrafts reached $154.60 million, marking a 33.5% decrease compared to 2022. Currently, Vietnam’s ceramic handicraft exports face strong competition from markets such as China and Thailand. To enhance competitiveness, businesses are continuously improving product quality, actively promoting design development, engaging in trade promotion activities, and participating in fairs and exhibitions to connect with customers.
Enterprise and Labor Structure
According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, there are currently over 5,600 enterprises engaged in the production, business, and processing of wood and forest products nationwide. Among these, about 300 are traditional craft villages, and 2,600 are direct exporters. However, only 2.2% of these enterprises are large-scale (with revenue exceeding 100 billion VND). The sector includes nearly 799 foreign-invested enterprises (FDI), accounting for 18% of the total number of enterprises, but the export turnover of FDI enterprises constitutes 48% to 50% of the total export turnover of the wood processing and export sector.
Currently, the wood industry employs over 500,000 workers, with more than 1 million dependents. Among these, unskilled laborers make up the majority. The average labor productivity has increased from 17,000 USD per person per year in 2010 to 25,000 USD per person per year in 2022. According to the General Department of Forestry, to achieve the export target of 20 billion USD by 2025, the sector is expected to need around 106,800 university graduates and more than 445,200 skilled technicians.
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