This document defines terms relating to rattan source plants, materials, intermediate rattan products and rattan products. This document is applicable to rattan materials and products in production and trade.
Rattan is harvested for its cane, a versatile renewable material that has been used for making various products such as furniture, baskets, mats, walking sticks, handbags and crafts. Rattan cultivation, processing and utilisation constitute a major topic of interest in many parts of the globe in view of its role in poverty alleviation, employment generation and foreign exchange earnings. According to UN comtrade 2013, imports of rattan products globally neared USD 745 million. Global demand for rattan products is strong and new designs for rattan furniture and basketry products continue to appeal to modern consumers. Indonesia remains the major rattan product exporter, but China and Vietnam are increasing their share of the global rattan trade despite being short of raw rattan, whilst the Philippines, Myanmar, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia and Laos have plentiful resources but export is only relatively limited quantities.
Currently, the global trade of rattan and its products is hampered by presence of a confusing terminology in the rattan sector. Rattan materials and products trade names are often developed by rattan merchants and bear little or no relation to botanical origin. They differ from country to country and even regions to regions and thus it is impossible to ensure any degree of standardization. Usually commercial names are derived from the locality the cane comes from.
This document aims to standardize rattan materials and products terminologies as to improve the trading activities. Standardized terminologies of rattan will also allow for the standardized grading practices that will further improve international trade of rattan materials and the products.