Wood handicraft exports from Bali drop

DENPASAR: The island’s wood handicraft exports have decreased steadily, both in terms of both value and volume, over the last few years. The decline spelled a tough period ahead for the island’s artisan communities and handicraft exporters.

The first drop was recorded in 2008 when wood handicraft exports generated revenues of US$92.7 million, a 5.71 percent drop from 2007 revenues.
The decline continued by 10.99 percent the following year when the sector only generated US$82.5 million. The declining trend continued in 2010 when the sector recorded a 5.67 percent decline and only generated US$77.8 million.

Apparently this year has not brought any good news to the sector. During the first semester of 2011, wood handicraft exports had only managed to bring in US$29.8 million, a hugely disappointing 32.28 percent decrease compared to the corresponding period in 2010. Export volume had also decreased by 31.07 percent.