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FoCUs 39
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pellets exported from Vietnam to South Korea was 0.65 million forest governance and forest product trade (VPA/PLET), the
tonnes, equivalent to US$96.1 million in value, dropping by Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild
41 percent in volume and 45 percent in value compared to Flora and Fauna (Cites) and is active in strengthen measures
the same period of 2022. to protect the environment and to combat climate change.
The Japanese market is highly stable in terms of both
quantity and price. In the frst fve months of 2023, the Certifcation of 1 million hectares

amount of pellets Vietnam exported to Japan reached 0.87 It has been determined that sustainable forest certifcation for
million tonnes, with a value of US$151 million. The volume one million hectares of large-sized timber forests can be a
exported fell by six percent while the export value increased passport for Vietnam's wood processing industry to increase
by 20 percent compared to the same period of 2022. export earnings and diversify markets. Moreover, achieving
It is forecast that in the fnal months of 2023, Vietnam's sustainable forest certifcation for one million hectares of
production and export of wood pellets will not have much large-sized timber forests will help reduce dependence on
change. Specifcally, (a) The volume and price of exports to imported raw materials.
Korea will increase, following the current momentum but will According to statistics from the Department of Forestry,
not increase dramatically. the country's current total forest area is about 14.74 million

hectares. Of this planted forests account for 31 percent.
Timbers from Laos and Cambodia—import ban In 2022, Vietnam earned US$15.67 billion from exporting
extended forest and wood products. The country aims to achieve US$18-
Five years ago. Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade 20 billion from exports by 2025 and US$23-25 billion by 2030.
issued Circular No. 44/2018/TT-BCT regulating the temporary According to Vu Thanh Nam, Head of the Forest Department’s
suspension of import and re-export of round wood and Forest Utilisation Division, the country currently has about
sawnwood from natural forests from Laos and Cambodia. four million hectares of production forests providing about

This Circular is effective until December 31, 2023. 20 million cubic metres of wood and this is planted mainly
After 5 years of implementation, the Ministry of Industry with acacia, eucalyptus, cinnamon and pine.
and Trade has conducted a review and assessment of the However, forestry experts advised that Vietnam should
implementation of Circular No. 44/2018/TT-BCT. switch to investing in large-sized timber forests to further
Based on the results of the summary and assessment increase export value.
and to avoid legal gaps when Circular No. 44/2018/TT-BCT
expires, the Ministry issued Circular No. 21/2023/TT-BCT dated Ruth Hartnup
November 14, 2023 extending the suspension of import and
re-export of roundwood and sawnwood from natural forests

in Laos and Cambodia.
Vietnam is committed to implement policy mechanisms and
measures to improve the effectiveness of forest management
and forest product management to ensure compliance with
international norms and regulations.
Vietnam has participated in a Voluntary Partnership Agreement
between Vietnam and the EU on forest law enforcement,