PH aims to become world's 2nd top bamboo exporter

The Philippines is aiming to become the world’s second largest producer of bamboo and its products by 2020, the Department of Trade and Industry said on Monday.

In a statement, Undersecretary Merly M. Cruz said the bamboo industry intends to generate P744.48-million worth of investments as well as P800.1 million in local sales through 2016.

By then, the bamboo sector would have created 1,191 micro, small and medium enterprises, and 37,648 jobs.

The bamboo industry road map will be discussed by stakeholders during tomorrow’s National Bamboo Congress 2012 with the theme “Bamboo for People and Environment” at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.

“We are organizing the Philippine Bamboo Congress to increase public awareness on the potentials of bamboo. By maximizing the use of bamboo in producing products like furniture, handicrafts and construction materials, we intend to stimulate economic growth and increase job creation, particularly for the marginalized sectors in the countryside, and to contribute in the mitigation of climate change,” Cruz said.

“Bamboo can be easily transformed into cash crop. Hence, it helps in easing the plight of poor farmers engaged it its production,” she added.

Bamboo in the country is cheap, with farm gate prices per pole ranging between P5-500, depending on the variety. Shoots are sold for P10 a kilo, while bamboo splits at P2 per meter or P35 a dozen. Semi-processed products such as woven bamboo are sold at P90 per mat.

Data from the International Network for Bamboo and Rattan showed that the Philippines was the sixth largest exporter of bamboo products in 2009, with shipments worth about $30 million during the period. Bamboo furniture and handicrafts were the country’s top exports, of which a third were shipped to the US and the remainder to around 50 other countries.

Bamboo exports are expected to grow due to an increasing demand for “green products” worldwide, Cruz said.

“Bamboo is fast becoming a cost-effective and attractive alternative to wood, plastic, and metal that can generate more jobs and self-employment opportunities,” she said.

The global market for bamboo products is expected to hit $12 billion this year, and is projected to go up by $2 billion annually to reach up to $20 billion by 2015.

At present, China is the biggest source of bamboo, supplying half of the world's needs.-Interaksyon (October 01, 2012 5:21PM)