Amid ongoing global economic uncertainty, Vietnam’s wood industry has achieved a significant milestone as wood exports and wood-based products exceeded USD 17 billion for the first time in 2025. This achievement highlights the sector’s resilience and reinforces its role as one of Vietnam’s key export industries.

The United States Remains the Largest Wood Export Market

The United States continues to be the most important destination for Vietnam’s wood exports. In 2025, export value to the U.S. reached USD 9.46 billion, accounting for approximately 55% of the country’s total wood export turnover.

During the first eight months of the year alone, Vietnam exported around USD 6.1 billion worth of wooden furniture to the U.S., representing an increase of nearly 9% year-on-year. Vietnamese products now hold 45.3% of the U.S. wooden furniture import market, underscoring the country’s growing competitiveness and product quality.

This strong performance confirms the strategic importance of the U.S. market and reflects Vietnam’s ability to meet high standards in design, sustainability, and supply reliability.

Japan and China Show Stable Growth

Beyond the U.S., Japan has emerged as Vietnam’s second-largest wood export market, with export value reaching USD 2.153 billion in 2025, marking an increase of more than 23% compared to the previous year. This growth allowed Japan to surpass China in export rankings.

Meanwhile, China remained a major market, with wood export value totaling USD 2.086 billion. Although growth was more moderate, China continues to play a crucial role in Vietnam’s overall export structure.

Together, the U.S., Japan, and China account for nearly 80% of Vietnam’s total wood exports, highlighting both the strength of these markets and the need for further diversification.

Product Structure: Wooden Furniture Leads the Way

In terms of product composition, wooden furniture remains the core driver of Vietnam’s wood exports, contributing nearly 61% of total export value during the first 11 months of 2025. This reflects Vietnam’s strong capabilities in furniture manufacturing, value-added processing, and design innovation.

Several other product groups also recorded export values exceeding USD 1 billion, including:

• Wood chips: USD 2.22 billion
• Lumber, panels, and flooring: USD 2.091 billion
• Wood pellets: USD 1.081 billion

The diversity of export products demonstrates the depth and maturity of Vietnam’s wood industry.

Adaptability and Growth Outlook

Vietnam’s wood sector has shown strong adaptability in the face of global challenges such as trade barriers, rising logistics costs, and stricter requirements on legal timber sourcing. Many enterprises have responded by upgrading production standards, improving traceability, and expanding into new markets.

Looking ahead, industry forecasts suggest that wood exports could reach USD 18 billion or more in 2026, provided current advantages are maintained. Expanding into markets such as the EU, South Korea, and the Middle East may also help reduce reliance on a limited number of key destinations.

Surpassing the USD 17 billion mark in wood exports represents more than a record-breaking achievement—it reflects the long-term potential and sustainability of Vietnam’s wood industry. With improving product quality, effective market strategies, and strong adaptability to global trade conditions, Vietnam is steadily strengthening its position within the global wood supply chain.

Source: VnEconomy

29/01/2026