The export value of forest products from early this year until May 24 surpassed that of seafood products to become the leader in the agro, forests and seafood export group.

This was reported by Nguyen Quoc Tri, director general of the Viet Nam Forestry Administration.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) estimated the export value of forestry products in the first five months of this year at US$3.43 billion, up by 8.7 per cent year-on-year. In May, the export value stood at $663 million, reported Thoi bao Tai chinh Viet Nam (Vietnam Financial Times) newspaper.

MARD also confirmed that forest product exports accounted for 22 per cent of the agricultural sector’s total export value.

The forestry industry had high export value but low import value, which resulted in a trade surplus.

The US, China, Japan and South Korea were the four largest export markets of Viet Nam’s wood and wood products in the first five months of 2018, Tri said.

To promote the export of forest products, MARD is currently promoting a programme of development and protection forestry. — VNS