Rattan, bamboo, sedge, and carpet exports gross US$594.8 million

The United States remained as the country’s largest export market throughout the reviewed period with turnover exceeding US$247 million, representing a rise of 21.4% against the same period from last year and accounting for up to 41.6% of the total.

September alone witnessed Vietnam rake in nearly US$20 million from exporting these products to the demanding market, up 12% compared to September, 2023.

Japan ranked second with US$45.4 million, suffering a fall of 11% against the same period from 2023 and accounting for 7.6% of the total.

The UK represents the third largest export market for Vietnamese goods with turnover reaching US$31.6 million in the reviewed period, up 8.9% on-year.

With positive signs from these three major markets, there are bright prospects ahead for Vietnamese handicraft products to make further inroads into the international market with the possibility of securing a market share of between 10% and 15% of the world market moving forward, according to experts.

At present, the country boasts over 1,000 rattan and bamboo villages, accounting for 24% of the total number of handicraft villages.

With the global bamboo market is expected to hit US$82.9 billion by 2028, Vietnam can earn billions of US$ from exporting these products.

According to details given by the General Department of Forestry, this represents the product group which boasts the highest export value in the non-timber forest product category.

Last year saw rattan and bamboo products bring in more than US$733 million. Along with China, Indonesia, and the Philippines, Vietnam is one of the four largest exporters of bamboo and rattan in the world.