Supply and Demand of Bamboo in the National and International Markets

Bamboo products are distributed to both domestic and export markets. The domestic market is segmented for furniture and handicraft. The high-quality products are directed to high-end markets (i.e., hotels, restaurants, condominiums, and residential houses) while low- quality ones are sold to low-and-medium income consumers.

In terms of local market, the furniture and handicraft industries topped the local user/market of bamboo product in the country accounting for about 40% of the total production. Next to this, in terms of total volume of consumption, the fish pen and the housing and construction sectors pegged at about 25% while the vegetable (crates) and fruit (props and crates) industries accounted for about 10%.
Registered bamboo firms are located mostly in Metro Manila, Pangasinan, Cebu, Iloilo, and Bacolod. Enterprising individuals or groups are now also in Rizal, Laguna, Batangas, Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino, and other provinces.

back to top

---

Export Performance

Foreign trade statistics from 1991 to 2000 show that the bamboo furniture (US$ 1.90 M) and handicraft industries (includes bamboo and rattan materials) (US$ 436.94 M) generated US$ 438.84 M in export revenues. In the year 2000, the total export of bamboo furniture alone is valued at (free-on-board [FOB] Value) US$ 3,180, 533.00 with a percent share of 0.01 (R&D of FHIRDP submitted to DTI-Bureau of Export Trade and Promotion). In the same year, the Philippine handicraft exports (i.e., gifts, toys, and housewares) is valued at (FOB) US$ 448.82 M (this value includes other materials like rattan). For housewares, the major exports are baskets made from bamboo and rattan, which is close to 30% of the total GTH. The handicraft sector provided the bulk of the total export sales generated from 1991 to 2000 with a contribution of US$ 7.6 B or 73%. Bamboo, which is traditionally processed into handicrafts, has a forecasted demand worldwide amounting to US$8B.

Other bamboo products, which have been included among exports and have potentials for expansion in the export market, are bamboo torches, electric lamps, ceiling and wall light fittings, and bamboo seats. There were also reported exports of bamboo poles, bamboo shoots, and ‘sawali’ but of very limited volumes (note: Export of bamboo poles are allowed for scientific or testing purposes only. A government clearance is required).

The Philippines exports bamboo furniture to more than 50 countries. Among these are the United States of America, Spain, France, Italy, Netherlands, Cyprus, Japan, Germany, United Kingdom, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Sweden, and others. The USA is the only biggest market capturing about one-third of the total export.
Bamboo is statistically recognized with six of its products included in the Philippine Statistical Classification Code and Tariff Code. The National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) classify bamboo and its related products under the following Philippine Statistical Classification (PSCC) and Harmonized System Codes (HSC) (as cited by The Foundation for Sustainable Techno-Environmental Reforms (Foster) in Asia, October 1988).

back to top

---

Philippine Handicraft Exports (1991-2000)
(FOB Value in US$ Million)

Year	Value
1991	336.96
1992	391.70
1993	402.04
1994	435.30
1995	461.14
1996	486.33
1997	473.88
1998	448.88
1999	464.31
2000	448.82
Average	436.94

back to top