Regarding the forestry sector situation in 2024, Mr. Tran Quang Bao, Director of the Forestry Department, said that many results have been achieved, from forest development to exploitation, processing, and export of forest products.

Specifically, the area of ​​newly planted concentrated forests in 2024 is estimated at more than 270 thousand hectares, an increase of 2.4% over the same period last year; the number of scattered forest trees is estimated at 97 million trees, an increase of 3.4%; Timber output reached 22.7 million m3, up 7.9% compared to 2023.

THE UNITED STATES CONTINUES TO BE VIETNAM’S LARGEST WOOD AND WOOD PRODUCTS EXPORT MARKET

Regarding the export of forestry products, Mr. Tran Quang Bao said that in December 2024, the export turnover of wood and wood products reached 1.55 billion USD, up 6% compared to November 2024 and up 15.8% compared to December 2023. Of which, wood products alone are estimated to reach 1.1 billion USD, up 7.5% compared to November 2024 and up 15.5% compared to December 2023. Including the value of non-timber forest products, the export turnover of the forestry group in December 2024 is estimated at 1.68 billion USD.

Accumulated for the whole year of 2024, the export turnover of forestry products is estimated to reach a record level of 17.3 billion USD, up 19.4% compared to 2023. Of which, wood and wood products are about 16.3 billion USD, the rest are non-timber forest products. The trade surplus value of the entire forestry sector in 2024 is estimated at about 14.4 billion USD.

Most of the exported wood and wood products recorded positive growth in 2024. Leading the export turnover for the whole year is the wooden frame chair item. By the end of November 2024, this item reached 3.1 billion USD, an increase of 24% over the same period in 2023.

Followed by living room and dining room furniture; wood chips; bedroom furniture; wood, boards and flooring; kitchen furniture. All of these product groups achieved turnover exceeding 1 billion USD.

The United States continues to be Vietnam’s largest export market for wood and wood products, accounting for more than 55% of total export turnover. According to the Forestry Department, wood and wood product exports to the United States grew positively thanks to high demand and reduced inventories in this market.

In addition, the shift in supply chains due to US trade protection measures against Chinese goods also creates great opportunities for Vietnamese wood products.

In addition, the EU, Japan, and South Korea continue to be Vietnam’s main export markets for wood and wood products. These markets not only have high demand, but also require products that meet standards in quality, design, and sustainability.

On the other hand, in 2024, Vietnam imported about 5.45 million m3 of raw wood, worth 1.79 billion USD, up nearly 25% in volume and 18.6% in value over the same period in 2023. “Imports of raw wood increased when demand from major markets showed many positive signs, inventories decreased, while global demand for wood products did not decrease,” Mr. Bao commented, adding that the increase in exports showed that global consumption demand was recovering and Vietnamese products were increasingly meeting international standards.

2025 GOAL TO REACH 18 BILLION USD

In 2024, in addition to focusing on directing localities to proactively implement the 2024 forest development plan, the Forestry Department has also strengthened the management of seed quality in localities. Thanks to that, the rate of forest tree seeds with controlled origin and quality for planting forests has reached 85-90%.

The whole country has also planted 270 thousand hectares of forest, an increase of 2.4% over the same period last year. Of which, about 245 thousand hectares of newly planted production forests were concentrated in some provinces in the North, Southwest, and Southeast. The total output of timber exploitation from planted forests is estimated to reach about 22.6 – 22.7 million m3 for the whole year, exceeding the planned target of 22.5 million m3 for 2024 by about 2-3%.

Accumulated to the end of November 2024, the whole country has collected 3,374.99 billion VND of forest environmental services, reaching 105.4% of the 2024 collection plan and equal to 110.7% compared to the same period in 2023. The whole year of 2024 is estimated to reach over 3,400 billion VND, exceeding the 2024 plan by 7%. The total area of ​​certified forests nationwide is estimated to reach about 610,000 hectares in 2024, reaching 120%, the target area by 2025 is 500,000 hectares of forest certified for sustainable forest management.

From the results achieved in 2024, the forestry sector strives for a growth rate of forestry production value in 2025 of 4.5-5.0%. Accordingly, the export value of forest products will reach 18 billion USD. Concentrated afforestation is 250,000 ha. Of which, protective and special-use forests are 5,0005 ha, production forests are 245,000 ha.

Reforestation is 130,000 ha/year. Of which, mainly transitional afforestation. Scattered tree planting: 140 million trees. Timber exploitation output from planted forests: 22.5 million m3. Forest area certified for sustainable forest management: 70,000 ha. Forest environmental service revenue: 3,200 billion VND.

To achieve the above goals, the Forestry Department has proposed key solutions.

Firstly, effectively implement the Forestry Law and documents regulating and guiding the implementation of the Forestry Law. Effectively implement strategies, plans, programs, and projects in the coming period such as the Forestry Development Strategy for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050. Continue to perfect mechanisms, policies, and legal documents on forestry; complete the development of legal documents according to the 2025 plan assigned by the Ministry to ensure progress and quality. Develop and submit to the Prime Minister for approval the Sustainable Forestry Development Program for the period 2026-2030.

Second, promote the implementation of activities on biodiversity conservation of forest ecosystems; ecotourism, resorts, entertainment; sustainable use of forest environment; effectively implement the policy of payment for forest environmental services; implement the plan to grant sustainable forest management certificates, implement the recognition of the national forest certification system and be eligible to link with the international PEFC forest certification; widely implement the issuance of forest certification according to the national forest certification system.

Thirdly, proactively cooperate internationally to mobilize and attract ODA and FDI capital through bilateral and multilateral international programs and projects for forestry development. In particular, prioritize programs and projects to support coastal forest development associated with climate change response, rising sea levels; sustainable forest management and forest certification; greenhouse gas emission reduction, carbon absorption and retention from forests, forest environmental services; programs and projects to improve the quality of human resources in the forestry sector.

Source: VNECONOMY.VN