Despite uncertain global economic conditions, exports of Indonesian wood products in 2022 continued to grow.
Data from Indonesia’s Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) analyses by the Association of Indonesia Forest Concession Holders (APHI) show Indonesia’s exports of wood products in 2022 reached US$14.51bn.
This was a significant increase in export values compared to 2021 which were recorded at $13.56bn. The export value for wood products in 2022 was a record surpassing the previous record in 2021.
In 2022, paper products contributed the most to export earnings at $4.37bn, up 18% year-on-year, followed by wood pulp at $3.73bn, up 15% year-on-year. The other wood products that made a large contribution were wood panels at $2.86bn, and furniture worth $2.26bn.
Exports to EU countries
Markets such as Bulgaria, Lithuania, Slovenia and other eastern European countries are to be the target for expanded wood product exports in the EU.
In addition to the current products exported such as paper, panels and furniture, efforts will be made to export wood pellets, according to the chairman of the APHI, Indroyono Soesilo.
He added there is a skyrocketing demand for Indonesian wood products in eastern European member states.
For instance, in Bulgaria there was a 100% increase in Indonesian wood product exports, a 400% increase in Croatia, 125% in Lithuania and a massive jump in exports to Slovakia.
However, currently the volumes are small but there are opportunities for growth. Indroyono said growth in non-traditional market countries is an opportunity to increase exports amid the economic challenges of 2023.
Source: ITTO
