Vietnam's wood and bamboo furniture exporters are optimistic about sales growth over the next 12 months, according to a report by the US-based non-profit foundation Kearny Alliance that helps businesses in developing economies.
The Vietnam Sourcing Report: Wooden&Bamboo Furniture survey said 95 percent of suppliers surveyed expected sales to grow at least 10 percent.
Eighty-five percent planned to increase prices by up to 5 percent, and 54 percent to develop models with more decorative elements and designs.
Almost half would focus on the EU market and 25 percent on the US market.
"Vietnam's wooden and bamboo furniture suppliers are noted for combining craftsmanship and structural integrity to offer unique, Asia-inspired products that come in traditional designs and contemporary styles," Vu Ngoc Khiem, manager of Kearny Alliance's Export Assistance Programme, said.
"As the world's sixth-largest producer of raw bamboo, the sector takes full advantage of its abundant, indigenous materials sourced locally and from the suppliers' plantations to offer exceptional value to buyers."
Annual exports of the surveyed suppliers are worth more than 40 million USD and they employ more than 9,000 full-time workers who can produce up to 6 million pieces a month.
Tran Quoc Khang, production manager of ISO 9001:2000-certified Nature Bamboo Company, said: "The economic crisis did not affect us that much as we offer our main EU clients items in competitive prices and our unique original designs attract loyal and new buyers.
"Our prices are stable as we have a 200-hectare bamboo plantation that we use to serve our current production. This plantation also ensures we have a stable supply of raw materials for 50 years."
Khiem said: "Buyers will see in the report details of three trade organisations and handicraft associations that facilitate business interaction between local suppliers and overseas buyers."
One of the organisations, the Handicraft and Wood Industry Association of HCM City, has more than 200 export-oriented members.
The Vietnam Sourcing Report: Wooden&Bamboo Furniture profiles 35 manufacturers and has descriptions, prices and packaging details for more than 125 export products ranging from sofa sets, beds and kitchen cabinets to home furnishings./.
The Vietnam Sourcing Report: Wooden&Bamboo Furniture survey said 95 percent of suppliers surveyed expected sales to grow at least 10 percent.
Eighty-five percent planned to increase prices by up to 5 percent, and 54 percent to develop models with more decorative elements and designs.
Almost half would focus on the EU market and 25 percent on the US market.
"Vietnam's wooden and bamboo furniture suppliers are noted for combining craftsmanship and structural integrity to offer unique, Asia-inspired products that come in traditional designs and contemporary styles," Vu Ngoc Khiem, manager of Kearny Alliance's Export Assistance Programme, said.
"As the world's sixth-largest producer of raw bamboo, the sector takes full advantage of its abundant, indigenous materials sourced locally and from the suppliers' plantations to offer exceptional value to buyers."
Annual exports of the surveyed suppliers are worth more than 40 million USD and they employ more than 9,000 full-time workers who can produce up to 6 million pieces a month.
Tran Quoc Khang, production manager of ISO 9001:2000-certified Nature Bamboo Company, said: "The economic crisis did not affect us that much as we offer our main EU clients items in competitive prices and our unique original designs attract loyal and new buyers.
"Our prices are stable as we have a 200-hectare bamboo plantation that we use to serve our current production. This plantation also ensures we have a stable supply of raw materials for 50 years."
Khiem said: "Buyers will see in the report details of three trade organisations and handicraft associations that facilitate business interaction between local suppliers and overseas buyers."
One of the organisations, the Handicraft and Wood Industry Association of HCM City, has more than 200 export-oriented members.
The Vietnam Sourcing Report: Wooden&Bamboo Furniture profiles 35 manufacturers and has descriptions, prices and packaging details for more than 125 export products ranging from sofa sets, beds and kitchen cabinets to home furnishings./.
