Vietnam's Wooden Furniture Sales to US Surge

Vietnam’s Wooden Furniture Sales to US Surge

Vietnam’s wooden interior furniture exports to the U.S. have risen substantially in the last three years and the trend has continued in the first few months of this year, according to U.S. figures.

In the first two months of 2005, Vietnam’s wooden furniture sales to the US hit $103 million, up roughly 174% over the same period last year, revealed figures of the US International Trade Commission (ITC).

In 2001, sales were only $13 million, but topped $374 million in 2004. In the last year, exports grew by 111% from the previous year.

Vietnam has become one of the 10 largest wooden furniture exporters to the American market, says the Vietnam Trade Office in the US. But, the office adds Vietnam’s exports make up just 1.65% of total US wooden furniture imports.

The industry’s major export item to the US is bedroom furniture, which constitutes 40% of its total exports to the market. The trade office says the industry now has a good chance to boost exports to the American market, where demand for wooden furniture is enormous.

In 2005, Vietnam’s wooden furniture exports are expected to hit $550 million, up 50% from last year, it predicted.

VietnamNet