Wood exports forecast to reach a record US$6.2 bil
(VOV) - Wood processing exports are likely to reach from US$6-6.2 billion this year, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD).
MARD reports that wood exports reached US$2.87 billion in the first half of the year, up 15.3% over the same period last year. While some key commodities such as rice, rubber and cassava encountered difficulties, most wood processing products continued to realize double-digit increases.
The US, China and Japan are Vietnam’s three biggest importers of wood products, comprising 66.74% of total export value.
Nguyen Quoc Khanh, President of the Handicraft & Wood Industry Association of Ho Chi Minh City (HAWA), said that in recent times, many international wood importers have placed orders in Vietnam instead of China due to more competitive prices.
MARD also reported that, Vietnam imported nearly US$1.23 billion worth of wood in the first half of the year, up 82.3% over the same period last year.