Ecobiz.asia — United States remains a strategic export market for Indonesia’s forestry products, with exports of Indonesian processed wood products to the U.S. reaching US$1.94 billion in 2025, accounting for around 15% of Indonesia’s total global processed wood exports.
Indonesia is seeking to strengthen its position in the U.S. market by emphasizing the legality, traceability, and sustainability of its timber products amid growing global demand for responsible supply chains.
Speaking during a keynote address, Indonesian Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni said forestry trade relations between Indonesia and the United States have been built over more than three decades on trust and commitments to sustainable forest management.
“Indonesian plywood entering the United States does not come from illegally managed forests. Our products are certified, traceable, and verified through the SVLK+ system, which is among the most comprehensive timber legality systems in the world,” Raja Juli Antoni said.
The remarks were delivered before U.S. buyers and forestry industry stakeholders during a hybrid international webinar titled Navigating U.S. Market Access for Indonesian Forest Products: Trade, Legality, and Sustainability, held in Washington, D.C. on Thursday (May 14, 2026).
The webinar was organized by Indonesia’s Ministry of Forestry in collaboration with the Indonesian Embassy in Washington D.C. and the Indonesian Forest Concessionaires Association. The forum aimed to strengthen market access for Indonesian forest products in the United States while promoting legal, transparent, and sustainable timber trade.
According to the minister, more than 70% of Indonesia’s plywood exports to the United States have obtained either Forest Stewardship Council certification or Indonesia’s Timber Legality and Sustainability Verification System (SVLK+).
The government is also encouraging diversification of Indonesian forestry exports beyond plywood and dipterocarp timber products. Raja Juli Antoni said Indonesia has significant potential from a wide range of timber species suitable for construction, furniture, and recreational vehicle industries in the U.S. market.
The forum featured speakers from both Indonesian and U.S. forestry industry groups, including Ashley Amidon, CEO of the International Wood Products Association, and Mattie Amagai, consultant for the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association.
The event was also supported by the Multi-Stakeholder Forestry Programme Phase 5, a cooperation program between the governments of Indonesia and the United Kingdom aimed at strengthening forest governance and sustainable forestry business development.
Indonesia’s Ambassador to the United States, Dwisuryo Indroyono Soesilo, said Indonesia continues to reinforce its position as a supplier of legal and sustainable forest products.
“Indonesia was the first country in the world to implement a mandatory national timber legality system through SVLK+,” Indroyono said.
He added that U.S. demand for competitive, transparent, and sustainably sourced products continues to grow, creating major opportunities for Indonesian forestry exports.
Director General of Sustainable Forest Management at Indonesia’s Ministry of Forestry, Laksmi Wijayanti, said SVLK+ continues to evolve in line with international regulations such as the United States Lacey Act and the European Union Deforestation Regulation.
“SVLK+ helps buyers and importers understand product origins and systematically verify regulatory compliance,” Laksmi said.
She added that Indonesia is strengthening forest governance through multi-sector oversight, digitalization, satellite-based monitoring, and the development of geolocation- and QR code-based traceability systems.
Chairman of the Indonesian Forest Concessionaires Association (APHI), Soewarso, said shifting global trade dynamics present both challenges and opportunities for Indonesia’s forest products industry.
“Changes in the global trade landscape create both challenges and opportunities for the forest products industry. Open and constructive dialogue between governments, businesses, and trading partners is essential to maintain fair and sustainable trade relations,” Soewarso said.
He reaffirmed Indonesia’s commitment to sustainable forest management, legal timber trade, and transparent and accountable forestry governance, adding that the business forum also served as a strategic platform to expand market opportunities and promote innovation and diversification of Indonesian forestry products globally. ***
