5.1 Extracts and exudates
5.2 Medicinal plants
5.3 Fibres: rattan and bamboo
5.4 Edible plant products
5.5 Animal products
In this section specific
NWFPs occuring in Indochina are discussed. Again it must be
stressed that this section is far from comprehensive. A few
examples are given of NWFPs in various product groups. Some
products are dealt with in some detail, whilst other products and
product groups are discussed more briefly. Several other
interesting products, e.g. mushrooms, ornamental plants, flowers,
nipah palms and birds' nests are not touched upon here.
The
following product groups are discussed below: extracts and
exudates, medicinal products, fibres, edible plant products, and
animal products.
5.1.1 Essential oils and incense
5.1.2 Resins and gums
5.1.3 Industrial oil
5.1.4 Tannins and dyes
5.1.5 Insecticides
Essential oils can be
defined as a volatile mixture of organic compounds derived by
physical means from odorous plant material, such as flowers,
herbs, woods, fruits, and roots. Essential oils are the basic raw
materials for perfumes on a large scale and for flavouring to a
lesser extent, as for flavouring a wider range of other
ingredients is available. Essential oils find their applications
in the food and in the fragrance industry (perfumes, soaps,
detergents), and in pharmaceutical products.
Vietnam is currently expanding its capacity for the production and export of high quality essential oils. A pivotal role is played by the Enteroil company, which was established four years ago within the CNRS (Centre National des Recherches Scientifiques). Enteroil is a specialised export unity. Distillation of essential oils is for the larger part done in smaller cottage industries near the areas where the raw material is harvested. Enteroil acts primarily as a centre of quality control and certification. It has adequate equipment and staff for this purpose. Much energy is invested in extension work aimed at bringing up quality standards with the collectors/cultivators and the cottage industries.
In Laos one sophisticated distillation unit exists in pharmaceutical industry nr. 3 at Vientiane. At present, the distillation unit reportedly operates far below its potential capacity.
Market trends and consumer preferences
In general, this is not the best time for a producer of essential oils to enter new markets. On the one hand there is a considerable oversupply of certain products. Particularly China is dumping large volumes of some oils on the world market.
On the other hand especially the fragrance industry is badly affected by the recession in North America and Europe. In combination this has led to very low prices for a range of essential oils.
From the demand side, prospects in the flavours industry look much better. The reduction of saturated fats, calories, sugar, salt and other components in processed food, has created a strong demand, particulary in the USA, for flavours which are needed to offset diminished palatability. Perhaps even more importantly, natural ingredients are more and more preferred by consumers in the industrialized countries.
Cinnamomum cassia, Cinnamomum loureirii2 (Cassia)
2 The difference between the two species is very small.
Cassia trees occur naturally in large parts of Indochina, but most abundantly in north and central Vietnam (e.g. Hoang Lien Son province), where it is also widely cultivated. Wild stands of Cassia trees occur in the eastern provinces of Laos. About 2000 tonnes of Cassia bark are exported from Vietnam annually, at US $ 2,000 - 3,000/tonne. In addition a small amount of cassia oil is exported (about 10 tonnes, at US $ 27 per kg). The volume of export has steadily increased during the 1980s.
Laos: Cassia bark enters local markets (e.g. Pakse, bark from the Baktian district, Champasak province). Cassia in its ground form is used in North America, Europe and Japan in bakery products, in meat and fish seasoning and generally in spice mixes. The oil is used in small quantities by the flavouring industry (e.g. cola type soft drinks). The quantity of cassia entering world trade is in the order of 20,000 to 25,000 tonnes annually, with Indonesia and China being the main suppliers. In the past 'Saigon' cassia from Vietnam was regarded in the USA as the superior quality spice. Although Chinese cassia is now the standard, it is to be expected that Vietnam stands a fair chance to win back a share of the US market after the ban on imports from Vietnam will have been lifted there. This is expected soon after the presidential elections in the U.S.A.
In the areas where cassia is cultivated or collected it forms a very valuable source of income for the local population. Reports from Van Yen district in the province of Hoang Lien Son learn that the local Dao economy, which is focused towards cassia cultivation, thrives very well. The Dao have currently 1000 ha (out of a total of 2400 ha) for Cinnamomum cassia, which area is steadily expanded (Van Tien, 1991:13, H. Bovil, J. Brands, pers. comm.).
Cananga odorata (Ilang Ilang)
This is a large tree, cultivated in home gardens, all over Vietnam. The flowers are used for worship. Domestically the oil is used as a fragrance for soap. At present there is no export of this essential oil. The world market is less than 100 tonnes and is stable, but not growing. In France, the best quality is used in high-class perfume of the floral and heavy oriental types, in which the oil blends well with other essential oils.
Melaleuca leucadendron (Cajeput oil)
In the past melaleuca forests took up a large area in the Mekong delta and along the coast of central Vietnam. In the Mekong delta the total area with stands of Melaleuca has shrunk during the last three decades to less then 100.000 hectares. The Melaleuca forests in central Vietnam also have diminished considerably.
Some cajeput oil is used in the domestic pharmaceutical industry and a small quantity (± 50 tonnes) is exported to Singapore. For cajeput oils as an export commodity the future looks bleak because world market prices are falling rapidly, following the collapse of Eucalyptus oil prices.
Illicium verum (star anise)
This small tree, belonging to the family Iliciaceae which grows in the evergreen forests of southern China and the mountainous regions of Indochina, is being cultivated in the Vietnamese province of Lang Son and in the mountainous regions of Eastern Laos.
Vietnam produces more than 2000 tonnes of star anise seeds per annum. A small quantity is used domestically in tonicums. About 1600 tonnes of seeds are exported to Cuba, China and the Soviet Union. On top of that 200 - 250 tonnes of essential oil are shipped to France and Czechoslovakia. In China, the largest supplier of star anise to the world market, Vietnam star anise is blended and then exported to France. In France it is used as a raw material in the production of alcoholic beverages.
The world market price is at present approximately US $ 7.50/kg for star anise oil, down from US $15/kg a few years ago. The price appears to have stabilized now and star anise oil is considered a fairly good product. Vietnam has one distillation plant for star anise at Lang Son and about eight manual production lines around Caobang and Lang Son. In Vientiane, Laos, a small quantity of star anise oil is distilled annually.
Aquilaria crassna (Eaglewood)
Eaglewood or aloeswood is a resinous incense wood, produced by diseased tissues of certain individuals of Aquilaria crassna, growing in Indochina. This highly valuable product is used in Chinese and Southern Asian medicine as well as for incense and cosmetics in the Middle East. The tree is found in the Annamite highlands in Laos and Vietnam and in the coastal mountains of Cambodia.
The ethnic minorities, collecting eaglewood, make small holes in the trees they encounter to investigate its content. If no eaglewood is found, they leave the tree alone. The scars stimulate the production of eaglewood. A few years later the same trees are investigated again. Only if the tree contains eaglewood, the whole tree is cut.
First grade eaglewood from Indochina values up to US $ 2000/kg in Singapore. From lesser grades the essential oil is distilled in small factories in Ho Chi Minh-city and Vientiane. Eaglewood from Cambodia and Laos is shipped via Vinh and Ho Chi Minh-city. About 100 tonnes of eaglewood is officially exported from Vietnam, but the real export most be much more.
Jasminum sambac oil
This is the product of the flower of a small tree, cultivated in home gardens all over Vietnam. The essential oil is domestically used for flavouring tea.
Fokienia hodginsii (Pemou oil)
Pemou oil is derived from a large tree, up to 30 m. It grows naturally in Vietnam in the northern province of Dai Son, in the central highlands and in the Lam Dong province in the south. Nowadays the tree has become quite rare. The essential oil is extracted from roots and stumps. The timber is exported to Taiwan, where it is used for the manufacture of coffins and furniture. Pemou oil is used as a fragrance in cosmetics (e.g. soap). Its fragrance is described as very good and unique.
Up to 20 years ago Pemou oil was exported to Western Europe (a.o. Germany) at a price of US $ 20/kg. This trade ended after supplies dried up during the war. At present 50 tonnes of oil are exported annually to Czechoslovakia. From the south another 50 tonnes of powder is exported to Hongkong and Singapore at US $ 350/tonne f.o.b. Ho Chi Minh-city.
Homalomena aromatica
Homalomena aromatica is a herb naturally widely distributed in Vietnam. The essential oil is distilled from the root and is domestically used in perfume. The dried root is being used in Vietnamese medicine against skin diseases.
Litsea cubeba oil
This oil is derived from a tree which naturally occurs mainly in the northern provinces of Vietnam. Litsea cubeba is also planted as a shadow plant, e.g. for tea. The oil is obtained from the fruits of the tree. Currently Vietnam exports over 30 tonnes per year. Apart from Vietnam, China is the only producer. China used to export 200-300 tonnes per annum, but exports from this country have fallen sharply in recent years.
Litsea
cubeba oil is a competitor for lemon grass oil. The oil is
used in its own right in cheap fragrance work, but is more
commonly employed as a source of citral and thence as a source of
vitamins. The future of this unique oil depends on developments
in the price and quality of synthetic citral and changes in
perfumers preferences. The main markets are the USA, Western
Europe and Japan.
Naval stores: pine
oleoresin and derivatives
The term 'naval stores' denotes the products obtained from the oleoresin of pine trees and includes gum rosin, wood rosin, tall oil rosin, turpentine and a whole range of chemicals derived form turpentine. Various modified forms of rosin are extensively employed in paper sizes, adhesives, printing inks, rubber compounding and surface coatings. Turpentine is nowadays mostly processed to isolate its components which form the basis of a growing chemical industry. Pinus merkusii is by far the more important source for pine resin in the area, Pinus khasya is a minor one. The main production areas in Vietnam are the provinces of Lam Dong and Quang Ninh, in Laos these are the eastern provinces.
In Vietnam natural pine forests are tapped, but pine trees are also much planted. A few hundred tonnes of pine resin are used domestically in Vietnam in the paper industry and for the production of varnish. Laos exports a few hundred tonnes of pine resin to Vietnam. Vietnam exports at present about 4500 tonnes of pine resin and derivatives. Japan is now the main customer.
The present prospects for producers in developing countries of rosin and turpentine are favourable, since tapping is labour-intensive. World demand is strong, while the level of production is declining. The largest exporter, China, is increasingly producing for the domestic market and the production of Portugal, the second largest exporter, has declined dramatically with about 50% in recent years.
Unfortunately for the country, Vietnam has already gone into long term (20 years) delivery contracts with Japan on the basis of relatively low world market prices in the past.
Laos produces over 500 tonnes of pine resin per year, mainly in the provinces of Khammouane and Ziangkhoang. After destillation the resin is exported to Vietnam and Thailand. There appears to be room for a moderate expansion of the industry, based on the tapping of natural stands of Pinus.
Liquidambar formosana
This is a large tree, occurring naturally in the north of Vietnam. Experimental planting by FIPI has revealed that the tree is excellent for soil improvement. The resin has a light fragrance of incense. It is used domestically in cottage industries. There appears to be interest from traders in Hongkong for this resin.
Benzoin, Styrax tonkinensis
The tree Styrax tonkinensis is found in the Northern provinces of Laos. It also grows exceptionally in north Vietnam. In the province of Oudamxai and in the North of Luang Phabang the Styrax forests form part of a shifting cultivation cycle with long fallow. Only under specific circumstances the tree produces the very valuable benzoin resin.
Laos produces over 100 tonnes of benzoin annually, which is exported to France and China. Prices paid in provincial towns to the tappers in the producing areas in April 1991 were about 2000 kip (US $3)/kg, down from 5000 kip/kg a few years earlier. The price for top quality benzoin paid in China in the beginning of 1991 was reportedly 119 Renminbi ($22)/kg. At present the price for top quality benzoin in Europe is between $15 and $20/kg.
Vietnam exports about 10 tonnes per year to France. The only other exporter3 of benzoin is Indonesia, but the resin is of a lesser quality. The resin is mainly used in the fragrance industry as a basis material for high-class perfumes and balms.
3 Thailand also exports a small quantity of benzoin, but this originates probably from Laos.
Damar, Dipterocarpus spp.
The Malay word 'damar' was adopted into European trade language to signify 'resin', primarily the type produced by the dipterocarps of Southern Asia. In Indochina damar is produced by various dipterocarps, most importantly D. alatus, a very tall tree occurring in south and central Vietnam, and Shorea vulgaris, occurring in Cambodia, south Vietnam and Laos.
The oleoresin is used as raw material for the production of natural paints, varnish, printing ink and glue and for caulking boats. The annual production by the forestry sector4 in Vietnam is (including yang oil) about 500 tonnes.
4 Figures given for the 'forestry sector' are related to production volumes of state enterprises and cooperatives under the responsability of the Ministry of Forestry. The private sector, but also production under other state institutions (e.g. Ministry of Health) are not included herein.
In Laos the production of damar is estimated at between 500 and 1000 tonnes a year, most of which is exported to Thailand. Some damar from Indochina enters the European market (Germany and France) via Thailand and Singapore. Although the price and volume traded are low (Singapore $ 1,000/tonne, export Singapore, 1989), the market for damar is stable.
Canarium copaliferum (cham resin)
The tree Canarium
copaliferum, 12-15 m high, grows in the wild in north
Vietnam. Its resin is domestically used for caulking boats and
because, of its fragrance, in the preparation of joss sticks. The
annual production of cham resin by the forestry sector is between
60 and 150 tonnes, some of which is exported.
Aleurites montana (Tuna
oil)
This large tree occurs naturally in north and central Vietnam, but is also much cultivated. The seeds contain between 50 and 58% of a quick drying oil. There is one factory for the refining of Tung oil at Cao Bang, with a capacity of 200 tonnes per annum, and numerous small-scale manual processing units at localities where tuna seeds are available. The oil is used for varnishes and is mixed with lac.
Registered
production of the forestry sector of Tung seed increased between
1986 and 1988 from 1,378 to 4,082 tonnes. The oil is partly used
in the domestic lacquer industry, partly exported. Until recently
the USSR was an important customer, but Naforimex also ships 1000
tonnes of oil per annum to Japan, at US $ 1700 per tonne, whilst
500-1000 tonnes of seeds are exported to China via private
traders.
This group of products will
only be shortly discussed. Tannins, extracted from several
mangrove species (e.g. Rhizophora conjugate), is used in
the domestic leather industry in Vietnam. There is a small
factory in Ca Mau town, where about 8 tonnes of mangrove tannin
is produced. During the war natural mangrove forests were badly
damaged by dioxin bombing. Over-harvesting of wood from mangrove
forests for charcoal further has added to the destruction of
these forests. Rhizophora conjugate and other species are
now being planted for the production of tannin.
A
many-splendoured variety of forest plant pigments lend colours to
paints and dyes for commercial and home use. Particularly some of
the ethnic minorities in Laos and Vietnam still use natural dyes
in the production of cloth. The export of high-quality woven
textiles, painted or printed with natural dyes, may profit from
the revival of the interest in natural colours in up-market
segments of the world market.
43 natural insecticides
occurring in Indochina are listed by Petelot (1964: IV 31). Three
promissing natural insecticides are discussed below (two of
which, Cinnamomum parthenoxylon and Peuak Bong, are not
mentioned in Petelot for its insecticidal/insect repellent
proporties).
Azadirachta indica, syn.: Antelea azadirachta (neem)
This tree is rather common in south Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. It is often cultivated as a shadow tree. The seeds and leaves are very efficient as a store pest control. Both the cold pressed neem oil and the oil-free part of the seed kernel can be used for pest control. The leaves of the neem tree also contain insecticidal and repellent substances, although in much lower concentrations (Schmutterer and Ascher, 1987). In India also soap is made from neem oil.
Sassafras
Vietnam produces a small quantity (a few dozen tonnes per annum) of sassafras oil. The source of Vietnamese sassafras oil is Cinnamomum parthenoxylon, a small tree of 12-18 m, which grows naturally in the province of Quang-tri, in central Vietnam, and in the mountain range along the border with Laos and Cambodia, further to the south. The tree occurs commonly in these mountainous areas, in some places in pure stands. The oil is derived from the roots and lower parts of the trunk.
Natural safrol was traditionally used for heliotropine manufacture, but recently this application has been overshadowed by its importance as a starting material for the production of piperonal butoxide, a synergist for natural pyrethrin insecticides. The major commercial sources for natural safrole are China and Brazil (resp. Cinnamomum camphora and Ocotea pretiosa). Chinese suppliers have been erratic of late5 while the source for Brazilian sassafras oil, exported until recently at levels of some 1,500 tonnes per annum, has dried up as a result of a Brazilian government ban on felling wild resources of Ocotea pretiosa in the province of Santa Caterina (Green and Home, 1991:11; ITC, 1986: 64).
5 Because of increasingly domestic consumption and diminishing wild resources.
With very tight supplies and a burgeoning demand in Japan, the United States, Italy, Spain, France and the UK, world market prices have gone up rapidly during the second half of 1991. The current world market price of sassafrass oil is about $7/kg. It is recommended that a survey of existing stocks of Cinnamomum parthenoxylon is carried out, that a plan for sustainable harvesting is made and that the possibilities for enrichment planting are investigated.
Peuak Bong
From the
province of Oudom Xai in Laos, annually about 47 tonnes of Peuak
Bong, the bark of an unidentified forest plant is exported to
Thailand, where it is used for insecticides. The price paid to
the colllectors is 140 kip/kg. The plant survives the harvesting
of the bark.
In the whole of Indochina,
numerous forest plants are used in medicinal formulas, prescribed
by traditional healers. Other plants are processed by the
domestic pharmaceutical industry in Vietnam and Laos for the home
market. A more limited number of medicinal plants is collected or
cultivated for the export market.
Medicinal plants still form a numerically large group of economically important plants. Although worldwide several hundred different genera are used medicinally, most are used in herbal remedies. Either the whole plant, a plant organ, or its extracts are used. There is a much smaller number of plants from which individual constituents are isolated and used as medicines, either alone or in combination, or that contain constituents isolated and used as precursors for drug synthesis.
The world trade in medicinal plants and their derivatives has declined in many industrialized countries owing to the growing volume of competitive synthetic products currently marketed. On the other hand, a renewed interest in traditional medicine in Asia and the expanding market for homeopathic and phyto-therapeutical products in the industrialized countries provide new outlets for a number of botanical products.
The major market for herbal medicines from Indochina lies however in Asia, i.e. Thailand, which has insufficient forest resources left to supply its domestic pharmaceutical industry with raw materials, China, Hongkong, and in the future perhaps Indonesia, which booming Jamu industry has a serious lack of raw material from domestic resources. A few selected medicinal plants are discussed below.
Amomum aromaticum (tsao kwa)
This plant produces aromatic seeds, which are used in China as spice and in medicines. It is cultivated in the northern Vietnamese province of Lai Chau, under a relatively closed canopy in difficult accessible areas. The official export went down from 153 tonnes in 1986 to 19 tonnes in 1988, which probably only means that the export is carried out increasingly by small private traders. The price in the production area is between US $ 1- 2,50 for one kilo of dried fruits containing the seeds (see further page 10).
Hibiscus sagittifolius (Sam nam)
This ginseng-like herb grows commonly in south Vietnam, particularly in the provinces of Vin Phu and Lam Dong. The roots are widely used in the Chinese pharmacopoeia. There is some export to China and to Singapore.
Morinda spp.
These are rather common tree species, cultivated and growing in the wild. The bark of different varieties of Morinda contains antiginone, a substance with anti-bacterial and cytotoxic effects. It is widely used in the traditional Vietnamese pharmacopoeia (cholera, tetanus). Annual production of the forestry sector is between 30 and 114 tonnes.
Polygonum multiflorum
This perennial climbing plant is widely found in forests and savannes in mountainous areas of Northern Vietnam. The root is much used in Vietnam and in China, as a tonicum for longevity and as a cholera medicine. The annual registered production of the forestry sector in Vietnam is about 20 tonnes.
Camphora officinarum (syn.: Cinnamomum camphora)
This 10-15 m high tree occurs in the wild6 in the central highlands. Camphor is used in the domestic pharmaceutical industry as a basis chemical for a range of drugs. The estimated need for domestic use is about 100 tonnes of camphor per year. At present the natural stands of C. officinarum can not supply the domestic demand. The import price would be in the order of DM 10/kg for camphor crystalline (Hamburg price). As both the stem and the roots of the tree are used for the distillation of camphor crystalline, the whole tree is cut for the harvesting of camphor.
6 According to Petelot (1954: III 42), Cinnamomum camphora is not indigenous to Vietnam. Possibly the natural stands mentioned are the remnants of plantations established by the French in the early forties of this century.
The Faculty of Pharmacology, University of Hanoi, has been carrying out research on C. officinarum. From the results of this research it appears to be a very interesting tree for enrichment planting in existing forests or mixed planting on barren hills. The tree grows well on poor soils, its large foliage gives good coverage and, where the leaves in fact also can be used for the distillation of camphor, the first harvest can already take place after two years. Particularly on higher altitudes the tree gives a high yield of the essential oil.
Artemisia spp.
Artemisia annua, an annual herb, common in northern Vietnam where it occurs naturally, is also easy to cultivate. In the traditional Vietnamese pharmacopoeia, the seed oil enters drugs against skin diseases and jaundice and is used as an anti diarheticum. In the framework of an international research programme, this plant, together with other species of Artemisia, is currently being developed into a new anti-malaria drug.
Strychnos nuxvomica
This 12-13 m high tree is characteristic for the forests of south Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. The nut is processed into poison, tonicums, is used as a bitter flavouring for medicinal purposes and as raw material for the synthesis of muscle relexant drugs. There is some export from Vietnam and Laos to Hongkong, Taiwan, Germany and France. The price of the nuts (January 1992) is about US $ 600/tonne f.o.b. South-east Asian port. There is a stable market for this product with presently India and Sri Lanka as the main suppliers.
Momordica spp
M. conchinchinensis and M. charanta occur naturally and are also widely cultivated all over Indochina. The seeds of both species contain a glucoside. The seeds are used as bitter flavouring for medicinal purposes. The University of Hanoi has developed a drug, Gacavit, which has Momordica seeds as a major constituent. The drug is said to reinforce the immune system, to repair DNA and is being tested as a cancer medicine.
Smilax glabra, Smilax spp.
This climbing plant occurs naturally all over Indochina. From the provinces of Oudom Xai and Luang Phabang in Laos there is some export into Thailand. The roots are used in traditional medicines against a whole range of diseases. They also can be used as a raw material for the production of steroidsaponines.
Drosera rotundifolia
This is a wild herb, common in humid areas all over Vietnam. In Europe it is used in phytotherapeutic and homeopathic drugs against whooping cough and as an antispasmodicum. World demand is estimated at over 100 tonnes per year. China is exporting this product. The sales price in Hamburg is DM 27/kg7.
7 This price is for 'Drosera petata' from China. Presumably this is the same plant.
Dioscorea deltoidea
This tuber is growing in the wild in the province of Son La, north Vietnam. It is used for the production of diosgenin, a valuable raw material for steroid drugs. The rather small resources of D. deltoidea are wholly used in the domestic pharmaceutical industry.
Zanthoxylum rhetsa
This product derives from a small tree, quite common in south Vietnam and South Laos. The bark contains two alkaloids, canthinone and berberine, which are highly effective antibacterial substances particularly for gastrointestinal disorders. The seeds are also used as a hot spice in Chinese cuisine. Indonesia, among other countries, is exporting seeds to Europe. The price, if bought in Hamburg, is DM 3000/tonne.
Amorphophallus campanulatus (syn: Arum campanulatus)
This herb
occurs naturally in Laos. The roots are exported to Japan where
they are used as the main constituent of slimming pills.
Rattan are climbing palms
(sub-family Calamoideae) which grow throughout the
Southeast Asian region, forming a characteristic component of
many forest types. In Indochina more than 30 species of rattan
belonging to five genera are known to occur. At least 14 species
are used commercially (Turbang 1989).
In Vietnam, rattan is important locally, but also as a raw material for the domestic industry. Unfortunately figures for total production and domestic use can not be given, because the estimates that circulate are too divergent. The export market for this product is very healthy. With strong demand and short supplies, prices are very good.
400 tonnes of rattan are exported from the north of Vietnam, mainly to Taiwan, via state trade firms. Another 2000 tonnes is exported by private traders to China. The consultant did not come across export figures for south and central Vietnam8, but these areas also must have a considerable export. There are numerous small cottage type industries that produce furniture, baskets, and other products, mainly for the home market, and a few larger factories in Quy Nhon, Hanoi and HCM-city, which operate as joint-ventures with Taiwanese and Thai capital and produce for the export market.
8 Some of the rattan harvested in Central Vietnam is also exported to China by small traders.
The total export of rattan works for 1991 is estimated at 6 million articles, worth US $ 2,5 million (Van Tien, 1991: 8). Trade circles in Bangkok estimate that on short term Vietnam could become a more important supplier of rattan to the world market. However, with the current 'free for all' exploitation of natural rattan resources, exhaustion of the resource must be feared in the future. FIPI has recently started a pilot project for the cultivation of rattan in Lau Son.
In conclusion, it must be stated that reliable data are perhaps nowhere more painfully lacking as with such an important and valuable NWFP as rattan.
The present volume of various rattans harvested for the market in Laos is estimated at about 1,5 million pieces (4,5 m) per annum (Turbang 1989: 4). There are still large reserves of rattan in the more inaccessible areas across the country.
The rattan industry in Laos consists of rudimentary processing (cleaning and sorting of the raw material before export); handicraft, which is almost exclusively produced for the domestic market; and half a dozen small and medium sized furniture factories, which produce for the domestic and export market.
Bamboo
In Vietnam,
bamboo is domestically widely used in construction. The quantity
used for construction is estimated as in the order of 400 million
stems per annum. Bamboo also complements wood as a raw material
for paper pulp (Ministry of Forestry, Socialist Republic of
Vietnam, 1991). Domestically, numerous other products are made
from bamboo and bamboo shoots for consumption are widely traded
on local markets. There is some export of bamboo toothpicks (36
tonnes per month) from Lam Dong to Taiwan.