Take the guesswork out of importing rattan bowls with this handy guide. We’ll walk you through the main categories to source from the rattan bowl export market and how long it usually takes to complete a shipment. We’ll also provide a brief overview of the most reliable markets to consider and offer tips on how to connect with trusted suppliers. All of this is designed to ensure that your sourcing process aligns with your business plans.
Overview of Rattan Bowl Market
Over the last year, the global market for rattan products reached more than USD 1.25 billion, and it’s still growing at about 4% a year. North America is leading in demand, followed by Europe and Asia, which makes this a good moment to look at rattan bowls as a product line.
So, why do buyers and retailers keep choosing rattan bowls? Compared to plastic or metal ones, these bowls fit the green lifestyle trend, are versatile across uses, offer healthy margins, and remain practical for storage and shipping.
Rattan is 100% natural, renewable, and biodegradable, while its lightweight, durable, and stackable nature reduces both weight-based shipping costs and breakage risks. In addition, the stable year-round supply of raw material keeps production consistent and wholesale prices competitive.
Common Types of Rattan Bowls in Overseas Export Markets
If you have yet to determine what kind of rattan bowl to import, the following observations will clearly describe the options for you.
1. Flat Rattan Bowls
This style is simple to recognize with its flat form, light weave, and open mouth. Its height is usually no more than two inches and flat rattan bowls are often used to keep small food. Some use them for rustic ornamentation as well.
2. Deep Woven Rattan Bowls
Another common type of rattan bowl for export is deep woven ones. Also known as tall rattan bowls, they look rather distinct with tighter weaves and thicker strands, leaving almost no gaps. The walls are taller and the bottom is deeper than the flat style.
For their protective features, deep woven rattan bowls are perfect for items that need a little extra protection. Most buyers purchase them to store eggs or exotic fruits like mangoes and avocados.
3. Lidded Rattan Bowls
These bowls are basically deep woven bowls with a lid. The design is a bit more intricate and flattened on the edges than standard deep bowls. The weaving is tighter, and the cover fits well on top, with an organized and symmetrical look. The purpose is to keep food and other objects free from dust or insects suspended in the air.
Highly sought after in international markets, particularly in Europe (France, Germany, Italy) and North America, these bowls are valued for their eco-friendly appeal and versatility. They are commonly used for storing dry goods like spices, snacks, or decorative items such as jewelry and trinkets.
4. Nesting Bowl Sets
A nesting set generally has three bowls, and occasionally four or more. These sets are as popular as lidded and deep woven rattan bowls, particularly among international buyers in Europe, North America, and Australia.
For end consumers, this type of rattan bowl comes with practicality and cohesive design.To retailers, the stackability conserves storage space and makes packaging and shipping easier.
5. Custom-Shaped Rattan Bowls
Custom-shaped rattan bowls are also very popular regarding rattan bowl exports. Their appeal lies in their unique, tailored designs, which allows for a competitive edge. You can request specific dimensions, weaving patterns, or decorative details such as handles and natural dye finishes. However, workshops will often ask for a higher minimum quantity and longer lead time for such bespoke designs.
MOQ Requirements for Rattan Bowl Export Orders
The thing about rattan bowl export orders is that the minimum order quantity (MOQ) is not fixed across all cases. Because each workshop has its own production capacity, design catalog, and labor availability, how many items they accept as the minimum and how long production takes really depend on the suppliers’ policies and the complexity of the design.
Generally speaking, the MOQ is relatively low for regular designs of rattan bowls, starting from a few dozen pieces or around one hundred items. Custom designs require higher MOQ. Do expect a few hundred to several thousand pieces.
Here is a general rule of thumb for MOQ in common categories of rattan bowls:
| # | Type | Typical MOQ |
| 1 | Standard flat rattan bowls | 50 to 100 pieces |
| 2 | Deep-woven bowls | 100 pieces or more |
| 3 | Rattan bowls with lid | Around 100-300 pcs |
| 4 | Nesting sets (3-5 bowls) | 100 sets or more |
| 5 | Custom bowls | 300 to 500 pieces |
Lead Time for Producing and Exporting Rattan Bowls
Lead times for sourcing rattan bowls can be anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. It mostly depends on the design you choose, the country you are sourcing from, and the season when you place an order. Below is a quick insight into the typical timelines you can expect:
- Sampling: about 1 week or slightly longer.
- Production: ~3 weeks for small standard orders; up to 2 months for special or bulk orders.
- Peak season. Wholesale peak is usually from September to December when retailers order huge quantities for year-end selling. Delivery may exceed 2 months.
- Shipping preparation. This is the inspection where a third-party or an in-house team checks product quality and packaging. Then there is final packing, which adds 10 days on average.
Tips: For repeat shipments, try to get batch schedules with your supplier. Dividing large shipments into several smaller shipments enables you to enjoy a steady flow of inventory, reduce warehouse backups, and prevent the risk of lengthy delays in the peak season.
Key Considerations When Sourcing Rattan Bowls for Export
That’s about the essentials you need to know regarding rattan bowl production and order handling. You are now all set to explore suppliers, compare offers, and negotiate terms with confidence. Before diving into the nitty-gritty of contracts, logistics, and pricing, keep in mind the following key considerations:
- Check the finish and strength carefully. Good bowls feel solid in the hand, with tight, even weaving and a smooth surface free of stains or cracks.
- Look at the packaging. Reliable suppliers will wrap each set or single bowl in PE bags, then pack them in sturdy cartons or crates. For sea shipments, adding a moisture-proof layer is always a good idea.
- Ask about certifications. Depending on where you’re going to sell rattan bowls, you may need FSC, BSCI, or LFGB/FDA to show compliance with sustainability, labor, or food safety requirements.
- Make sure shipping terms are clear. For example, under FOB, the supplier’s job ends once the bowls are loaded on the ship, while under DAP, they deliver to your agreed-upon location and you take care of import customs.
- Don’t overlook samples. Seeing a sample beforehand lets you see the real weave, shape, and color. It’s always better to approve a bulk order only after you’re happy with what you’ve sampled.
What Are The Top Rattan Bowls Export Countries?
Based on the information we have access to, Vietnam, Indonesia, and China are the three biggest exporters of rattan products. Vietnam holds the number one position with more than half of the total shipments, followed by Indonesia and then China. These are also the top three markets that you will want to look into when you are sourcing rattan bowls.
1. China
Most of China’s rattan bowl producers are found in Guangdong province, specifically in the cities of Foshan and Lecong. Here you can procure almost every type of rattan bowl, ranging from simple kitchen types to decorative varieties for the home.
The advantages of sourcing rattan bowl from China include:
- OEM orders in bulk with wide options in shape, weave, and finish
- Fast production; thousands of bowls completed within weeks
On the flip side, mass production can make the bowls look less handmade and unique. If you’re looking for something with more artisanal value, it’s best to talk this through with suppliers and always check samples before moving forward with a big order.
2. Indonesia
Most of the rattan bowl weaving towns in Indonesia are found in West Java. They are well-known for a strong rattan craft industry with traditional designs. Manufacturers in Central Java, on the other hand, prefer blending rattan and wood to create sophisticated and elegant products.
The benefits to look out for when buying rattan bowls in Indonesia:
- Strong focus on authentic hand-weaving over mass production
- Unique patterns inspired by tribal designs (e.g., diamonds, overlapping lines)
One thing to keep in mind is location. Indonesia still has many active volcanoes, which sometimes can disrupt both production and logistics.
3. Vietnam
Vietnam is among the top exporters of rattan products, backed by more than 700 traditional craft villages and tens of thousands of skilled artisans. In 2023, the country shipped around 25.8 million USD worth of rattan furniture, ranking just behind Indonesia. With over 59,000 export shipments recorded, Vietnam shows strong capacity to meet both bulk and custom orders, making it a reliable source for global buyers.
Benefits of sourcing rattan bowls from Vietnam:
- Stiff, dense weaving for strength and neat appearance
- Competitive pricing (e.g., lidded bowl ~USD 2.60 at moderate MOQ)
- Wide supplier network from small workshops to large exporters
- Flexible MOQ options for different buyer sizes
- Eco-friendly practices using natural, sustainable materials
- Reliable quality control meeting international standards
- Certified compliance with international markets (e.g., BSCI, FSC, ISO, CE)
In addition to that is a stable political climate. Many trade agreements give tax-free access to key markets. That’s why the country is also one of the best “China +1” options that helps diversify supply chains for many global buyers and importers.
VinaSources: Best B2B Platform For Sourcing Rattan Bowl From Vietnam
It is obvious that Vietnam’s rattan bowl export is strong, with products that are affordable, high-quality, and diverse. That said, it can still be challenging sourcing such products in Vietnam. Quality and certification are not always consistent, even if you go directly to the craft villages, and finding the right supplier takes time and effort.
This is where VinaSources comes in. As the leading B2B sourcing platform in Vietnam, we make everything easy and safe for you. We are a one-stop sourcing platform that connects you directly with certified rattan bowl exporters and workshops so that you don’t lose your time personally checking each supplier.
- Let us have your order by searching products on VinaSources, or simply let us know what you need, like bowl shape, size, or target price..
- We obtain quotes from numerous trustworthy suppliers and bring to you the best options within a few days.
- We manage the export process from the first step to the last, from quality inspections to shipping, documents, tracking, and even warehousing if needed.
Typical specifications and availability of rattan bowl from Vietnam on VinaSources:
| Size | 7.1 in (L) x 7.1 in (W) x 2.0 in (H) |
| Material | Natural rattan fiber, carefully processed and dried |
| Color | Natural rattan color |
| Design | Spiral weave, round shape, open pattern |
| Method | Handwoven by local artisans |
| Usage | Ideal for fresh fruits, bread, snacks, or even small objects like keys and accessories |
| MOQ | 100 pieces |
| Lead time | Round about two weeks, depending on order quantity |
| Custom packaging | Yes (FBA, Wholesale, Retail, etc.) |
| OEM & ODM | Yes |
Submit your sourcing request on VinaSources today and get multiple verified quotes!