Economic growth in Vietnam recently have been developing quite rapidly at about rate 8,2% during 1991-1995. In 1997 that rate is estimated at about 9.5%. The future6 supply and demand for forest products are estimated as follows:
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Assume year 2010 for all projections.
a. Wood, timber and fuel-wood
Demand
· Timber for production of wood-base panels: |
4.00 million m3 |
· Timber for furniture making: |
4.32 " |
· Timber for construction: |
3.00 " |
· Wood and timber for paper making |
12.00 " |
· Timber for mine production |
0.35 " |
· Total: |
23.67 million m3 |
· Fuelwood |
35 million m3 |
Supply
Possible supply is planned to be taken from:
· Natural forests (of high standing volume): |
0.6 million m3 |
· Man-made forest plantations: |
5.0 " |
· Bamboos as substitutes: |
1.44 " |
· Total: |
7.04 "7 |
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There is a major gap between this supply potential and projected demand. To import such large volumes presents major challenges for a significant time before significant areas of plantations mature (Editor).
The remaining demands are to be extracted from newly established forests. Vietnam is going to planted from 1996-1997 about 5 million hectares8 of forest plantations. Other alternative is import of round timber. The supply for fuelwood for domestic and industrial uses from scattered trees planting and use of logging residues from industrial plantations and natural forests.
8
Till year 2003 as indicated later in report (Editor).
b. Non-wood forest products
These products are meant mainly for export. Estimated for export capacity as below.
* Cinnamon bark: |
25,000 tons |
* Anise and its products: |
15,000 tons |
* Pipe resin: |
120,000 tons |
* Rattan: |
150,000 tons |
* Bamboo: |
120,000 tons |
* Tung oil: |
40,000 tons |