April 16, 2012
Vietnam has become the world’s largest woodchip exporter with 5.4 million tons exported in 2011, up 5 million tons compared to the humble start in 2001, according to Vietnam Pulp and Paper Association (VPPA).
According to experts in the industry, the expansion of Chinese pulp capacity is the main cause for the increasing number of hardwood plantations and processing facilities for woodchips in Vietnam.
However, woodchip export is not the main target of Vietnam since it is a form of exporting raw materials, having a lower export added values. The better options are exporting ingredients to produce pulp and paper.