Bamboo Market Demand

Typically bamboo species are fast growing and Timber Bamboo is no exception.

Bamboo is used in a wide range of industries including food, furniture, construction, pulp and paper, textiles and even has important biofuel and filtration uses.

As other sources of timber become scarce and more expensive, the use of bamboo is increasing due to its unique qualities of fast growth, strength and exceptional versatility making it an excellent environmentally friendly renewable alternative to timber from trees.

In 2005 the world market for bamboo was valued at US$ 10 billion. Demand is forecast to double by 2015 to US$ 20 billion as more industries turn to bamboo for their raw materials. As a result bamboo is increasingly being grown in plantations to meet the demand from industry and prices have steadily risen.

Sources: FAO: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, INBAR: International Network for Bamboo and Rattan, Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India