Eight-month handicraft exports near US$575 million, driven by key markets
VOV.VN - Vietnam’s handicrafts made from rattan, bamboo, and sedge remain in high demand in major markets such as the US, Japan, and Spain, bringing eight-month export revenue to US$574 million, up 5.4% year-on-year, according to Vietnam Customs.
The US continues to be the largest buyer, importing US$266 million worth of products and accounting for 46.3% of total revenue. Japan ranked second with US$37.7 million, followed by the UK with US$28.5 million, Spain with US$27.6 million, and India with US$21.6 million. Last year, the product group earned US$804 million.
The Department of Forestry and Forest Protection under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment noted that rattan and bamboo products hold the highest export value among Vietnam’s non-timber forest products. Together with China, Vietnam is among the world’s top five exporters of rattan and bamboo.
These products are increasingly popular worldwide, particularly in interior design and home décor. The global trend toward green living and sustainable, eco-friendly products is opening plenty of opportunities for Vietnamese enterprises and traditional craft villages.
According to the Vietnam Handicraft Exporters Association (VIETCRAFT), international interest has steadily risen over the past five years, with growing numbers of buyers, especially from the US, Europe, and Japan, visiting Vietnamese factories and placing larger orders.
Vietnamese rattan, bamboo, sedge, and carpet products attract customers with their aesthetic appeal, quality, and competitive pricing compared to similar goods from Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia. European consumers, in particular, value products that are unique, environmentally friendly, and culturally distinctive. Millennials (Gen Y), who make up 45% of this market, along with more than 70% of urban consumers, prefer handmade items.
VIETCRAFT estimated that Vietnam’s rattan and bamboo industry could secure 10-15% of the global market share, with export revenue projected to grow at an average annual rate of 29.5%. With the global bamboo market forecast to reach nearly US$83 billion by 2028, Vietnam’s rattan and bamboo sector could earn billions of dollars in export revenue.
Vietnamese handicraft products attract European visitors at int’l expo in Italy
VOV.VN - The AF-L'ARTIGIANO IN FIERA International Handicraft Fair 2024, that is getting underway in Milan, Italy, from November 30 to December 8, has garnered significant attention from European visitors who show interest in and purchase Vietnamese products.
