Efforts to make Quang Tri’s woodwork available worldwide

Quang Tri Province, which has over 248,189 hectares of forest, including dozens of hectares certified for sustainable forest management under Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) standards, is a promising supplier of wood products for export.

Half of the total forest is planted forests which would be ideal for expanding the wood products market and exporting, contributing to sustainable forestry economic development.

Forest plantation in Cam Thuy Commune, Cam Lo District, Quang Tri. Photos: L.A

Woodwork – growing industry

Tien Phong Wood Processing Factory, a subsidiary of Tien Phong Cam Lo Co., Ltd., stands at the forefront of indoor and outdoor wooden furniture production. The factory specializes in manufacturing a wide range of products, including beds, cabinets, indoor and outdoor tables and chairs, and wooden household items.

Each year, the company processes approximately 15,000 cubic meters of raw timber and exports around 400 containers (40 feet) to key markets in Europe and North America, such as France, Germany, Poland, Spain, the United States, and Canada. Prominent clients include globally recognized furniture chains like IKEA and Metro. The company generates annual revenues of VND160 million (US$6,293) – VND170 billion ($6,686), providing stable employment for over 400 workers, with an average monthly salary of VND7 million ($275).

Nguyen Thi Minh Thu, Deputy Director of Export-Import at Tien Phong Cam Lo Co., Ltd., highlights the rigorous standards required for exporting wooden furniture to European and US markets. Products must comply with strict regulations regarding raw materials and production processes, as well as meet detailed specifications and designs for each order.

To ensure consistent material supply, the company collaborates with local FSC-certified timber plantations and imports FSC-certified teak from South America and Africa, addressing the insufficient domestic supply in Vietnam.

Tien Phong has invested in modern facilities that adhere to European and US standards, achieving certifications such as Chain of Custody (CoC) compliance and BSCI standards for social responsibility. These certifications underscore the company’s commitment to environmental sustainability, labor safety, and high-quality products. For proprietary designs, client approval and third-party evaluations are mandatory before mass production.

To remain competitive in a challenging global market, the company focuses on modernizing production technologies, upgrading machinery, and training skilled personnel. These efforts maximize the efficiency of new technologies and strengthen the competitiveness of export products.

Wood workshop of Tien Phong Cam Lo Co., Ltd.

Quang Tri’s woodwork industry

Quang Tri Province is home to 53 licensed wood processing facilities, 41 of which are currently operational. These include chipboard plants, veneer factories, and MDF facilities, with a combined annual operational capacity of 1.5 million tons. The local wood processing industry has grown significantly, with 46.55% of products consumed domestically and 53.45% exported to markets such as ASEAN countries, China, the US, the EU, and India.

However, most facilities rely heavily on raw materials and produce basic or semi-processed products with limited value addition. Weak connections between businesses and forest growers further constrain the industry and only a small number of facilities export directly to international markets.

To position wood processing as a key industry, Quang Tri Province has fostered partnerships between processing facilities and forest growers, promoting FSC-certified sustainable forest management. Efforts focus on encouraging the harvest of mature forests and transitioning from small timber plantations to large timber production to enhance forest value.

Quang Tri leads the nation in FSC certification, with 26,136.56 hectares certified. In October 2022, it became Vietnam’s first province to receive FSC certification for natural forests, covering 2,145 hectares across five communes. These forests play a vital role in carbon sequestration, storing approximately 350,000 tons of CO2 and absorbing about 7,000 tons annually.

The province has also developed FSC-certified timber supply chains by linking forest owners with certified companies. For instance, companies like Thu Hang Wood Processing and Scansia Pacific purchase FSC-certified timber at a premium of 10–12% over non-certified timber prices.

Future directions

Phan Van Phuoc, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, outlined plans to support large timber plantations, expand FSC certification, and shift from raw material production to high-value timber processing. He said investments in infrastructure and advanced technology will further boost the sector’s growth.

Additionally, the province aims to establish linked value chains with cooperatives at the center, providing services such as harvesting, transportation, and semi-processing. This approach ensures stable output, and higher incomes for forest growers, and supports the sustainable development of Quang Tri’s wood processing industry.

Le An – Linh Pham