Compliance with the Vietnam Timber Legality Assurance System (VNTLAS) in the rubberwood supply chain is now a crucial requirement and a key opportunity for Vietnam to enhance the export value and global reputation of its wood industry.
Rubberwood: A Key Material for Vietnam’s Wood Industry
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Rubberwood has become one of the most important raw materials supporting the growth of Vietnam’s wood processing industry and contributing significantly to the country’s rubber sector export value. It also helps improve the income of over 265,000 smallholder households and more than 1,500 enterprises in the supply chain.
Each year, Vietnam’s rubber industry provides 4.5–5 million cubic meters of round rubberwood, serving as a legal and sustainable source for both domestic consumption and export-oriented manufacturing.
On average, rubberwood products bring in USD 1.7–1.8 billion annually, accounting for more than 20% of the total wood export turnover and ranking among the top three export categories in Vietnam’s rubber industry.
Rising Export Value and Global Market Reach
Between 2015 and 2019, the export value of Vietnam’s rubberwood industry grew at an impressive 18.2% annually, rising from USD 1.22 billion to USD 2.28 billion. The sector’s contribution to total rubber exports increased from 29.3% to 33.6%, and to 22% of Vietnam’s total wood exports in 2019.
Vietnam currently exports rubberwood and furniture products to over 100 countries. In 2019, the U.S. was the largest importer, accounting for 71.9%, followed by Japan (9.4%) and South Korea (6.9%).
The top export items include wooden chairs, furniture components, plywood, and wood pellets for biomass fuel. Notably, wood pellets alone generated USD 302 million in 2019, reflecting growing demand for renewable energy materials.
Rubberwood is increasingly used for indoor furniture, flooring, MDF boards, and eco-friendly wooden products, valued for being renewable, durable, and sustainable, helping to reduce pressure on natural forests.
Stable Timber Supply from 2021–2040
Vietnam’s rubber plantation area has slightly decreased in recent years, from 985,600 hectares in 2015 to 926,000 hectares in 2020, due to land-use shifts toward industrial zones and high-tech agriculture.
However, with the government’s plan to stabilize around 900,000 hectares, the annual replanting cycle (25–30 years)will ensure a consistent timber supply of 7–10 million cubic meters per year.
From 2021 to 2025, total rubberwood output is projected to reach 3.22 million cubic meters annually, with smallholders contributing about 27%. This figure is expected to increase after 2026 as replanting areas expand.
By 2036–2040, smallholder rubberwood could supply up to 6 million cubic meters per year, accounting for over 45%of the total volume, ensuring a stable and renewable raw material base for sustainable furniture production.
Enhancing Legality and Sustainability: The VNTLAS Initiative
To support compliance with EU and global timber legality requirements, the Vietnam Rubber Association (VRA) has launched the project “Promoting Compliance with the Timber Legality Assurance System in the Rubber Industry” with support from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Vietnam Administration of Forestry (VNFOREST).
Implemented during 2020–2021, the project aims to develop a dedicated legal timber documentation system for the rubber industry, involving all stakeholders in the supply chain — from plantations to processors and exporters.
This initiative not only strengthens Vietnam’s compliance capacity but also enhances the credibility, traceability, and export competitiveness of Vietnamese rubberwood in key markets such as Europe, the U.S., Japan, and South Korea.