Acacia wood holds great potential to replace high-risk imported timber sources, potentially transforming Vietnam’s wood industry in the future. “The scope for expanding the use of Acacia wood is enormous,” stated Dr. To Xuan Phuc, Executive Director of the Timber Trade Policy Program at Forest Trends (USA), on March 2, 2024.
However, Dr. Phuc emphasized that using Acacia wood to revolutionize Vietnam’s timber sector won’t happen automatically. It requires specific mechanisms, policies, and coordinated actions from regulatory agencies and the business community.
Replacing Risky Imported Timber
Currently, Vietnam imports about 2-3 million cubic meters of tropical roundwood and sawn timber annually from countries such as Africa, Laos, Cambodia, and Papua New Guinea. These timber sources pose a risk of deforestation and forest degradation, negatively impacting the reputation of Vietnam’s timber industry.
The area of planted forests is rapidly expanding. As of now, Vietnam has around 4.5 million hectares of planted forests, with Acacia accounting for about 70-80% of this area. The rest is primarily eucalyptus, pine, and cypress, according to data from Forest Trends.
Expanding Acacia Use
“The potential for expanding the use of Acacia wood is huge,” Dr. Phuc remarked. The total area of planted forests is increasing by more than 100,000 hectares per year, including forests certified by FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) and VFCS/PEFC (Vietnam Forest Certification Scheme). Acacia wood has potential applications in various industrial wood sectors, such as plywood, MDF boards, particle boards, and finger-jointed boards. Dr. Phuc stated that this potential not only promotes the use of Acacia in the Vietnam wood industry but also highlights its capability to replace products made from less environmentally friendly materials like plastic and metal.
Driving Transformation in Vietnam’s Wood Industry
The use of Acacia wood in the future could be a major driver in transforming Vietnam’s timber industry, especially as the country continues to expand its planted forest areas.
- Government Support: The state is providing financial and technical support to forest growers, focusing on Acacia species to encourage planting and expanding certified timber plantations.
- Market Acceptance: Acacia wood is increasingly accepted by the market and is widely used in various finished products, including indoor and outdoor furniture, plywood, boards, wood chips, and wood pellets. It is gaining traction in both export and domestic markets.
Future Outlook
The seminar “The Acacia Path: A New Factor for Transforming Vietnam’s Wood Industry” will assess the current status of this ype of wood usage in the country, including its role in exports and domestic consumption. It will also explore the potential to expand Acacia wood use in the future, replacing less eco-friendly materials while discussing necessary policies, mechanisms, and actions to promote this growth.
