Wood export turnover this year is expected to reach a record high of nearly US$12.5 billion despite the COVID-19 impact, as well as risks from export markets and the country’s policy changes in controlling the legality of imported wood materials.

A wood processing line for export in Lam Dong province

Chairman of the Vietnam Timber and Forest Product Association (VIFOREST) Do Xuan Lap made the forecast at a conference held in the southern province of Binh Duong on December 21.

Lap said the wood sector posted a surge in exports, especially in the second and third quarter of the year. In the first 11 months of 2020, the wood sector’s export turnover surpassed US$11 billion, representing a 15.6% year-on-year increase.

He, however, noted that the industry has faced anti-dumping lawsuits from the US and the Republic of Korea, specifically for plywood related to commercial fraud and tax evasion. There is a high risk that the US Government would apply trade restrictions on these Vietnamese timber, he said.

The chairman added that Vietnam has promulgated a decree on Vietnam Timber Legality Assurance System (VNTLAS). The decree regulates the harvest, transportation, trade, and processing of timber in accordance with requirements and regulations of international conventions that the country is party to and requirements of countries that import processed wooden products from Vietnam. However, as it is a new document, many importers still lack understanding of the decree’s requirements regarding imported timber.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) issued a decision on a geographic origin and timber species risk category. This plays an important role in controlling the legality of imported timber.

The conference provided exporters and producers with trade defence skills, issues related to commercial fraud in import and export activities, goods origin fraud to reduce risks in their trading.