Where to Buy Wholesale Furniture for Resale? - Southeast Asia

Tuesday - 20/05/2025 02:44

The global furniture market is rapidly evolving into one of the most vibrant and lucrative industries today. As consumer interest in well-designed, practical, and budget-friendly pieces keeps climbing, so does the importance of building trustworthy supply chains. Naturally, this raises a key question for both newcomers and seasoned sellers: Where to buy wholesale furniture for resale?
In this article, we highlight a region that’s rapidly gaining attention and influence in the global furniture industry — Southeast Asia. With its favorable conditions in terms of natural resources, labor force, and strategic location, Southeast Asia is becoming one of the hottest sourcing destinations in the Asia-Pacific region. So what makes it stand out? Let’s explore.

SOUTHEAST ASIA FURNITURE MARKET OVERVIEW

where to buy wholesale furniture for resale southeast asia 3 — A Corner Of The Furniture Production Line In Vietnam

Southeast Asia’s Competitive Advantages

Southeast Asia has become a prominent player in global furniture production, with countries in the region uniquely positioned to offer several key advantages:

Abundant natural resources: The tropical climate and vast forested areas make the region ideal for cultivating and harvesting high-quality hardwoods such as teak, rubberwood, acacia...
Skilled workforce: The diverse culture and rich tradition of craftsmanship have shaped the distinctive meticulousness and skillfulness of the Southeast Asian people. Plus, a young and plentiful labor pool provides access to skilled craftsmen at competitive wages, significantly lowering production costs without compromising quality.
Strategic location: Proximity to major global shipping routes enables fast, cost-effective logistics to markets worldwide.
Modern infrastructure: Well-developed logistics networks — including advanced ports, airports, and highways — enhance export capacity and streamline international distribution.
Open economic policies: Many Southeast Asian governments have adopted increasingly open economic policies and actively promote international trade. This includes favorable tariffs, tax incentives, and participation in free trade agreements — all of which help simplify and accelerate the export process, including for furniture products. (RCEP, CPTPP,...)

Together, these factors have firmly established Southeast Asia as a top destination for sourcing high-quality, competitively priced furniture in bulk — with the added advantage of faster delivery times to global markets.

Export Growth in Southeast Asia

where to buy wholesale furniture for resale total furniture export value of southeast asia 1 — Furniture Export Value of Southeast Asian Countries. (Source: Aggregated Data)

From 2019 to 2024, Southeast Asia's furniture export value increased by 48%, rising from $15.55 billion to $23 billion, with an average annual growth rate of 8.5%. During the period prior to 2021, the growth rate consistently exceeded 13%. However, after 2021, due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the post-pandemic economic crisis, growth slowed significantly — even dropping to -5.35% in 2023. Despite this, 2024 marks a remarkable recovery, with export value reaching $23 billion — the highest in six years — and still on an upward trend. These figures reaffirm the scale and potential of ASEAN in the furniture industry, making it an unmissable destination for anyone entering or investing in this field.

Since 2017, Vietnam has consistently led ASEAN in furniture export value, accounting for over 66% of the region’s total exports since 2019. Thanks to favorable conditions such as geographical location, natural resources, a young labor force, and supportive economic policies, Vietnam has become a trusted partner in the eyes of the international community. In addition to wood and wood-based products, Vietnam continues to explore and develop new materials such as concrete (GFRC), metal, sintered stone, and more.

Strengths of Key Southeast Asian Furniture Exporters

With over 15 years of experience in furniture manufacturing and export, Aurora Craft has identified the key characteristics of the four leading furniture-exporting countries in Southeast Asia. Understanding the distinct strengths of each country enables retailers to strategically choose suppliers that align with their specific business objectives.

Country	Core Material Strength	Material Insights
Vietnam	Rubberwood, Acacia, Native Hardwoods	Strong in native plantation wood. Offers cost-effective, locally sourced materials with a vertically integrated supply chain—from raw timber to final packaging.
Indonesia	Teak Wood (Natural & Plantation-Grown)	Globally renowned for premium teak, ideal for luxury indoor and outdoor furniture due to durability and fine craftsmanship.
Malaysia	Engineered Wood (MDF, Particleboard)	Specializes in high-volume modular and office furniture using advanced manufacturing and wood composite materials.
Thailand	Mixed Materials (Rattan, Bamboo, Imported Teak)	Leverages design innovation with diverse materials. Most wood is imported or cultivated on a small scale domestically.

Each country has its own strengths in different materials, depending on its economic conditions and characteristics. This diversity provides customers with a wide range of choices — from styles to price points — that suit the specific needs of various markets.

For those who are not yet familiar with GFRC (Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete), it is a material made by combining concrete with glass fibers, offering superior features that overcome the limitations of traditional concrete. While not entirely new, this material has only recently gained attention and become a rising trend. Vietnam is considered a pioneer in applying GFRC to interior and furniture design, offering a wide variety of styles and designs. With over 15 years of experience working with GFRC, we – Aurora Craft – are proud to be one of the leading manufacturers and exporters of concrete furniture in the ASEAN region.

where to buy wholesale furniture for resale southeast asia gfrc furniture 2 — Some of Aurora Craft's GFRC furniture products.

--- See more about Aurora Craft's GFRC furniture products here.

WHERE TO BUY WHOLESALE FURNITURE FOR RESALE FROM SOUTHEAST ASIA?

Online Platforms

Alibaba
GlobalSources
Made-in-China

Offline Strategies (Trade Shows and Exhibitions)

Vietnam International Furniture & Home Accessories Fair (VIFA Expo) – Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam – March (annually).
Vietnam International Furniture & Handicraft Export Fair (HawaExpo) – Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam – March (annually).
Malaysian International Furniture Fair (MIFF) – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – March (annually).
Furniture, Interiors and Design Fair Asia (FIND) – Singapore – September (annually).
Manila FAME (The Philippines’ Premier Furniture & Home Accents Show) – Manila, Philippines – April & October (biannually).

10 TIPS TO HELP YOU CHOOSE THE RIGHT FURNITURE SUPPLIER

Explore multiple wholesale suppliers: Don’t rely on just one. Compare offers, styles, and furniture options across several wholesale furniture suppliers to find the best deal for your business.
Negotiate bulk rates: Most suppliers are open to discounts on larger orders — but only if you ask.
Compare shipping costs: Shipping fees vary greatly. Always check the total landed cost, not just the unit costs of the products. Also, ask suppliers to provide estimated delivery times to avoid unexpected delays.
Request samples to test the quality and experience the furniture firsthand before committing to a full order. If possible, check online reviews to see what other buyers say about product quality.
Attend trade shows: Events like VIFA Expo or MIFF let you see and buy furniture in person from trusted suppliers, and compare a wide selection of products side by side.
Follow market trends: Staying on trend — and making an effort to stay informed — is critical to stay competitive in the furniture resale business.
Look out for clearance or overstock deals: These deals allow you to purchase quality furniture at wholesale prices and maximize profit margins.
Build strong supplier relationships: Being a loyal buyer can lead to exclusive deals, early access to new products, and priority service. Long-term relationships are key to growing a successful furniture business, not just getting better prices.
Ask for FSC, ISO, or sustainability certifications to ensure product quality and responsible sourcing. Verified standards not only reflect quality but also support customer satisfaction in the long run.
Start small with new suppliers: Test their reliability with small minimum order quantities (MOQs) before scaling up your purchases. Once trust is established, buying in bulk helps you reduce per-unit costs and improve profit margins.

where to buy wholesale furniture for resale southeast asia 2 — Vietnam stands among Southeast Asia’s top furniture exporter

CONCLUSION

As global buyers increasingly prioritize sustainability, personalized design, and top-tier craftsmanship, the question many resellers face is: “Where to buy wholesale furniture for resale?” In response, Southeast Asia has emerged as a leading hub—renowned for its vibrant furniture industry, extensive supplier base, efficient shipping infrastructure, and strategic regional positioning. By tapping into digital sourcing platforms, attending industry trade events, and conducting thorough supplier evaluations, resellers focused on the U.S. market can reliably source premium overseas furniture by partnering with a trustworthy wholesale furniture supplier from Southeast Asia. Staying educated on sourcing options, trade regulations, and logistics helps resellers make informed, profitable decisions in a competitive global market. When paired with a smart sourcing strategy and rigorous supplier vetting, Southeast Asia offers long-term advantages for resellers seeking growth in the furniture wholesale space.

ABOUT AURORA CRAFT

Aurora Craft is a Vietnam-based furniture manufacturer combining traditional craftsmanship with modern production, backed by a strong commitment to quality. We offer a wide range of furniture with premium quality, full in-house control, low MOQs, customized to meet diverse business needs, competitive prices, and global shipping—ideal for wholesalers, retailers, and hospitality buyers.