PHL eyes bigger share of $12-B global bamboo market 

With the market for bamboo growing at an estimated $2 billion a year, the Philippines is going for a sustainable industry and positioning itself second only to main player China in 2016.

 

Fueled by this ambition, the Department of Trade and Industry said Monday it is looking at creating 37,648 jobs and 1,191 micro, small and medium enterprises within the bamboo industry.

 

The target is to generate P744.48 million worth of investments, and P800.1 million in domestic sales from this year to 2016.

 

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

 

Fueling the growth is an expanding advocacy toward green products and further stretching the potential for the $12 billion market for bamboo products across the globe, the Trade official said.

 

With China the global industry leader with an estimated 50 percent market share, the world market for bamboo is seen growing to $20 billion by in 2015.

 

Cruz said the numbers and the potential for growth encouraged the Trade Department to organize the Philippine Bamboo Congress to stoke 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. 

 

The Philippines ranked sixth worldwide in terms of exports valued at $30 million in 2009, according to the International Network for Bamboo and Rattan.

 

Philippine bamboo is largely used as raw material for making furniture, construction, and agriculture.

 

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

 

As of July 2012, Trade Department data showed farmgate price per bamboo ranged from P5 to P500 depending on its variety, age, length, thickness. 

 

The Philippines also exports bamboo to 50 countries, with about a third going to the United State.

 

The country’s nearly 150 bamboo nurseries are in Luzon and in the Visayas. — VS, GMA News