90% of imported woods to Vietnam are raw woods

According to the General Department of Vietnam Customs, the import turnover of wood and wood products to Vietnam in 2020 reached US$ 2.558 billion, a slight increase of 0.6% compared to 2019.

In 2020, China continues to maintain being the biggest wood and wood products supply market to Vietnam, reaching US$ 862 million, accounts for 33.7% of the total import turnover. China is also the market that has the highest growth rate among the main wood and wood products supply markets to Vietnam, up to 31.33% compared to 2019.

The US is the second-largest market in relation to wood and wood products to Vietnam in 2020, with a value of US$ 312 million. Thailand ranks third with US$ 129 million.

In terms of growth, excluding China, the import turnover of wood and wood products of Thailand (mainly wooden board) and Russia (log and sawn timber) also growing exponentially, up to 14.7% and 87.78% respectively in comparison with 2019. On the other hand, the import turnover of wood and wood products from the markets of the US, Chile, Brazil, France all decrease compared to 2019.

Raw wood is a commodity group that has the biggest import turnover value, accounts for 90% of the total import turnover. Several types of imported wood are log, sawn timber, fiberboard, particleboard, veneer, and plywood. Imported wood, in addition to processing wooden furniture for export, also meets domestic demand.

According to Dr. To Xuan Phuc, Forest Trends’ policy analyst, in the year 2020, demand for joinery in Vietnam has gradually become diverse. The tendency to use joinery made from imported woods from low-risk sources, which usually are bright-colored woods, softwoods, have reasonable prices, are relatively popular among young people living in urban areas and apartments.

This tendency is currently being expanded, especially in combination with other materials such as plywoods or plastic materials, fabric, metal, rattan, rush…

Furthermore, demand for joinery made from heartwoods, tropical wood species, with traditional designs and relatively high prices still exists. These merchandises normally serve the elderly group of customers who have their own houses with wide enough spaces to display these items.

In addition, this source of heartwood also goes to construction works, uses as stairs, doors thanks to its good resistance to harsh environmental conditions.