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international standards. They also want a phased implementation VIETNAM
plan instead of rolling out the Standards at one time. Wood and wood product (W&WP) trade highlights
The government proposed bringing wooden furniture under According to preliminary statistics provided by Vietnam General
the Quality Control Order from 2025. Department of Customs in November 2023 Vietnam’s W&WP
exports reached US$1.3 billion, up 1.4 percent compared to
Plywood October 2023 and up 11 percent compared to November 2022.

It is understood that the main plywood manufacturing companies Of this, WP exports contributed US$880 million, up 0.8
have requested BIS to reconsider the quality standards as for percent compared to October 2023 and up 15.7 percent
B Grade plywood/inferior quality plywood there is no specifc year-on-year.
standards for which certifcation from BIS can be secured. In the frst 11 months of 2023, exports of both W and WP
They argue that the standards were made several years are estimated at US$12.2 billion, down 17 percent over the
ago and needs to be updated taking account of the reality same period in 2022. In particular, WP exports are estimated at
in the market. US$8.3 billion, down 19 percent over the same period in 2022.
Also, there are over 1,000 small and micro manufacturers Vietnam's imports of wood raw materials in November
(unorganised sector) which are producing plywood and for them 2023 amounted to 406,300 cubic metres, worth US$133

buying new machinery, laboratory equipment and implementing million, up 10 percent in volume and 10 percent in value
quality control procedures will be expensive and they asked compared to October 2023.
for more time and a waiver on marking fees. However, compared to November 2022, there was a
decrease of 16 percent in volume and a decrease of 24
MDF percent in value.
Medium Density Fibreboard (MDF) is another industry in India In the frst 11 months of 2023, imports of raw wood are
which is relatively young having been operating for around estimated at 4,054 million cubic metres worth US$1.376 billion,

15-20 years and the sector is dominated by big corporations down 27 percent in volume and 35 percent in value over the
and is well organised. same period in 2022.
As of October, 70-80 percent of MDF manufacturers were W&WP exports to Japan in November 2023 amounted to
certifed companies hence BIS will hardly affect the domestic US$126 million, down 27 percent compared to November 2022.
MDF manufacturers. However, importers of MDF will face some
hurdles as the overseas suppliers will require BIS certifcation.
ulricaloeb

Decorative plywood
Decorative Plywood is heavily dependent on imported base

panels coming from Malaysia, Indonesia and China.
As of November, BIS Certifcations have not been issued
to any overseas manufacturers/suppliers of plywood for the
manufacture of veneered decorative plywood.
Industry sources say it may take companies three to six
months to secure BIS certifcation and there is considerable
concern among manufacturers and importers.