Vietnam exported USD 10.2 billion worth of wood and wood products in the first seven months of the year, up 5.6 per cent from the same period in 2025, according to data from the General Department of Customs.
The sector was among Vietnam's seven largest export categories during the period.
Wood processing and furniture manufacturing at a Vietnamese company's factory (Photo: HAWA).
The United States remained Vietnam's largest market for wood and wood products, accounting for exports worth USD 5.1 billion. Although shipments to the US fell 5.8 per cent year-on-year, the market still represented around 50 per cent of Vietnam's total wood export revenue.
China ranked second with imports valued at approximately USD 1.5 billion, an increase of 46.4 per cent from a year earlier, followed by Japan and South Korea.
In Ho Chi Minh City alone, wood and wood product exports reached nearly USD 4 billion during the first half of the year.
Tran Ngoc Liem, director of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry's Ho Chi Minh City branch, said the four largest markets, the United States, China, Japan and South Korea, accounted for more than 80 per cent of Vietnam's total wood export turnover.
While this highlights the importance of those destinations, it also underscores the need to diversify markets and reduce reliance on any single country, he said.
Recent efforts to lessen dependence on traditional export markets have begun to produce encouraging results. Liem pointed to growing demand in markets such as Canada, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Germany.
Exports of Vietnamese wood and wood products to the Netherlands surged 104 per cent in the first seven months of the year, while exports to Germany rose 47 per cent.
"These figures show that there is still considerable room for Vietnamese wood products to expand their market share in Europe, especially if businesses make effective use of the commitments and advantages offered by the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement," Liem said.
Industry experts believe Europe could become a new growth engine for Vietnam's wood and furniture industry, particularly in the furniture segment.
According to data cited by the Ministry of Industry and Trade from market research firm Mordor Intelligence, the European furniture market is expected to reach approximately USD 277.2 billion this year and grow to USD 358.3 billion by 2031, with an average annual growth rate of around 5.26 per cent.
Liem said the figures demonstrate that Vietnam has not only developed strong manufacturing capacity but has also gradually built expertise in supply-chain management, product design and compliance with demanding international standards.
This foundation could help transform Vietnam from a contract manufacturing hub into a regional centre for furniture design, production and distribution, he added.
Despite the positive outlook, wood industry businesses continue to face increasing requirements related to environmental standards, raw-material sourcing, supply-chain traceability, logistics costs, trade policies and consumer demand in key markets.
Among the challenges, potential changes to US tariff policies are expected to have a significant impact on export activities.
Against this backdrop, expanding into new markets and diversifying customer and partner networks are seen as critical strategies.
Dang Quoc Hung, chief executive of VIFA Alliance Exhibition Corporation, said more than 200 domestic and international companies are expected to participate in the VIFA ASEAN 2026 International Furniture, Home Furnishings and Handicrafts Fair in Ho Chi Minh City in early September.
More than 600 exhibition booths will showcase products while facilitating connections between supporting industries, sustainable manufacturers, investors and international buyers from markets including the United States, Canada, China, India, Japan and the Netherlands.
According to Liem, recent volatility in several major export markets highlights the importance of proactively seeking new destinations, market segments and business partners.
He said VIFA ASEAN 2026 would provide an opportunity for Vietnamese companies to connect with international buyers, particularly from strategic markets such as the United States, Europe, Japan, South Korea, Australia, the Middle East and ASEAN countries.