Furniture manufacturers in Arakan State struggle as forests disappear

By Admin 09 Nov 2023

DMG Newsroom
9 November 2023, Sittwe

Furniture manufacturers in Arakan State are struggling due to shortages and high prices of timber.

Furniture from altars and TV stands to wardrobes and door jambs are usually made with teak or ironwood (Xylia xylocarpa), but these woods are selling for around 4 million kyats per tonne at present, and are also short in supply.

“Even if you can afford to buy it, timber is almost out of stock. How can furniture shops operate when there is no timber?” said U Soe Htay, owner of the Aung Nandaw furniture shop.

Before the 2021 military coup, the cost of teak and ironwood stood at around 1.5 million kyats per tonne, with prices almosting tripling since then. Many furniture manufacturers have been forced to use other types of timber.

However, furniture made with lower-grade timber is less popular in the market, and Chinese-made furniture made with silicone and plywood also poses a challenge to local furniture manufacturers.

Furniture manufacturer U Aung Myint from Zedi Taung Kwin ward in Kyaukphyu town said: “I continue to do this business only because of my passion for it. If the situation goes on like this, it will be difficult for us to survive in the long run, and future generations may also lose interest in furniture-making.”

The dwindling supply of timber in Arakan State is being blamed on deforestation resulting from illegal logging, and increased tax rates during transportation, according to industry insiders.

A sawmill owner in Ponnagyun Township said: “Only 10 percent of timber from forests in Arakan State is used by locals. The rest is taken out of Arakan State. And we have to pay high taxes for transportation of timber within our state.”

Forests in Ann, Taungup, Thandwe and other townships as well as along the slopes of the Arakan Yoma and Mayu mountain ranges are suffering the effects of deforestation due to many years of illegal logging, say residents.