Rattan Fact

Rattans are spiny climbing palms in the tropical forests that can attain lengths of over 185 metres. There are 13 rattan genera with 700 known species. Growing in the tropics and sub-tropics, rattan, or cane as it is commonly known, is a ready source for the cane furniture industry. It is collected from the wild forests throughout Southeast Asia and is the most vital forest produce after timber. Its social significance is no less. It provides sustainable income to some of the most disadvantaged segments of people living in and on the fringes of forests. Because of its strength and flexibility, the stem of rattan is used extensively in the manufacture of cane furniture and in matting. Other uses of rattan, mostly in the rural areas, are for cordage, in construction, basketry, thatching and matting. Long before the Portuguese discovered the trade route to the East and took back rattan (along with the other wonder, spices) it had been an invaluable part of the life of the rural folk throughout Southeast Asia. Even at the beginning of the century, rattan trade had been considerable, with Singapore as the main clearinghouse. With practically no rattan resources, Singapore earned more than $21 million (US) from the processing and manufacture of semi-finished goods. In the 1970s, Indonesia became the major supplier of rattan, accounting for nearly 70 percent of the entire global trade. Since then, the trade profile had undergone dramatic changes. The value of export has increased a stupendous 250-fold in just 17 years in Indonesia. The rise has been 75-fold in 15 years in the Philippines, 23-fold in 9 years in Thailand and 12-fold in 8 years in Malaysia. Indonesia, the market leader, has now set its target for exports at $700 million (US), while Singapore aims at a target of $60 million. In Indonesia, until recently almost all rattan was collected from tropical rain forests. With forest destruction and conversion, the habitat area of rattan has decreased rapidly over the last few decades and there is now a shortage of supply. The Forest Department in Indonesia has become aware of the vulnerability of the rattan supply and has begun a cultivation program aimed at safeguarding the long-term supply of rattan cane for the industry. Commercial cultivation of rattan appears to be viable and offers the best possibility for future supply. Ecologically, rattan is very important. It grows in degraded forests and in marginal soil. It can also be introduced artificially in natural forests without disturbing the existing structure and balance. Trade in rattan has burgeoned into a multimillion-dollar industry. Trade in raw rattan worldwide was in the order of $50 million. By the time the finished product reaches the consumer, its value has increased to $1.2 billion. Overall, the global trade is worth $4 billion and domestic trade $2.5 million. Rattan is increasing in popularity because it is easy to work with, requiring only simple tools and low-cost machines. It lends itself to uncomplicated labour-intensive processing and thus generates diverse employment, and its manufacturing costs are minimal. It is environmentally friendly and biodegradable: it "hugs" the trees and saves them from the logger's axe by providing equal or more benefit than the companion tree, without disturbing the natural habitat. Collectors harvest rattan from deep in the rain forest. They pull the vines down from the forest canopy and remove the spiny leaves. Bare cane is carried out of the rain forest and partially processed before being sold to middlemen who then transport it to major cities for further processing. Small diameter cane is usually dried in the sun and smoked over burning sulfur. Larger rattan cane is usually boiled in a mixture of diesel oil and palm oil to remove excess moisture. This boiling also removes natural gums and creates a barrier against wood-boring beetles. Rattan has a unique beauty in the finished goods form, reflecting the traditional skills and the unique allure of material fashioned by human hands. Rattan products have come to be cherished throughout the world for their elegance and simplicity. Rattan material is water-resistant, but heating and steaming cause rattan to bend easily. Rattan is used in a wide range of products, the most important of which is the manufacture of furniture. In the past much of the commercially harvested raw vine was exported to overseas manufacturers. By the mid 1980's, however, Indonesia introduced an export ban on raw rattan vine to encourage the manufacture of rattan furniture locally. The government's intent was twofold: to add value to the exported product and to conserve stocks of wild rattan.

o Related links: Mahagony Fact | Teak Fact | Bamboo Fact

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