In the first quarter of 2014 alone, timber shipments surged by 38 percent to $18.6 million.— Photo vov

HA NOI (Biz Hub) — Timber exports to the Middle East reached US$37.3 million, up 37.1 percent in the first half of this year, according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

Between 2009 and 2013, Viet Nam's furniture exports to Middle Eastern markets increased three times with the total turnover for 2013 hitting a record of $54.6 million.

In the first quarter of 2014 alone, timber shipments surged by 38 percent to $18.6 million.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Kuwait and Israel were among key importers.

The UAE has become the largest importer of Vietnamese wood products with imports of $12.8 million in 2012, accounting for 36 percent of Viet Nam's total wood exports to the Middle East. Meanwhile, Viet Nam shipped $15.3 million of wood products to Saudi Arabia last year, making up 28 percent of Viet Nam's total wood exports to the region. — VNS