Kubu Rattan and Jawit Rattan, Premium Raw Materials from Indonesia

Indonesia is known as one of the world's largest rattan producers, with over 80% of the global natural rattan supply coming from the archipelago's tropical forests. This natural wealth places Indonesia in a strategic position in the eco-friendly natural raw materials industry, particularly for the growing global markets of furniture, handicrafts, and interior decoration. The two most sought-after rattan varieties in the industry are Kubu rattan and Jawit rattan. Kubu rattan is known for its flexible fibers and distinctive natural gray color, making it ideal for decorative weaving and furniture upholstery. Jawit rattan, meanwhile, excels in its strength and flexibility, making it a prime material for furniture frames and rattan craft structures. Both are not only highly aesthetically pleasing but also durable, lightweight, and malleable—qualities highly sought after by manufacturers and modern interior designers.

This article will delve deeper into the characteristics, advantages, and business opportunities of Kubu and Jawit rattan—two local commodities that have proven themselves to be superior export products and an important part of the global trend toward natural and sustainable materials.

What is Kubu and Jawit Rattan?

Rattan is a non-timber forest product that thrives in tropical regions, particularly in Southeast Asia. Among the hundreds of rattan species found in Indonesia, Kubu rattan and Jawit rattan are the two most widely used and have high economic value in both local and international markets.

Kubu Rattan

Kubu rattan originates from the swamp forests and lowlands of Sumatra, Kalimantan, and Sulawesi. This species is known for its distinctive color: a natural gray resulting from a traditional soaking or processing process. This unique color creates a rustic and natural feel that is highly sought after in European and American markets.

Kubu rattan has a flexible and smooth texture, making it ideal for woven products such as chair panels, backrests, decorative walls, baskets, and various crafts. When woven, this rattan is called Kubu Soft and is usually sold in rolls or sheets.

Jawit Rattan

Jawit rattan is commonly found in Kalimantan and parts of Sumatra, growing naturally in dense tropical forests. This species has the following characteristics: batang lurusSmall to medium in diameter, with a natural light yellow color, Jawit rattan is known for its strength yet flexibility, making it an ideal material for furniture frames, handles, and other rattan products that require stability.

Jawit rattan is usually sold in whole pieces, peeled pieces, or poles/cores after undergoing a drying and sorting process. Its flexibility makes this rattan popular among craftspeople and export-grade furniture manufacturers.

Product Type and Form

Both Kubu and Jawit rattan are available in a variety of processed forms, tailored to the needs of artisan industries, furniture manufacturing, and the export market. Each form has a distinct function and added value in the production process.

Kubu Rattan

Kubu rattan is generally processed into a natural gray wicker, known commercially as Kubu Grey or Kubu Soft. Common forms include:

Kubu Soft Woven (Kubu Grey)

Made from hand-woven Kubu rattan, it has a smooth and flexible texture. Typically sold in sheets or rolls, it's used for chair upholstery, interior wall coverings, backrest panels, or tropical-inspired decorative accents.

Rolls and Sheets

Kubu rattan weaving is available in rolls with varying widths (±60–90 cm), ready to use for the furniture and interior design industry.

Jawit Rattan

Jawit rattan has a wider variety of shapes, as it is used as the base material and structure for rattan products. Some of the main shapes include:

Peeling (Split Rattan)

Rattan that has had its outer skin removed to facilitate weaving or surface smoothing. Used in furniture, decoration, and crafts.

Bontongan (Whole)

Rattan in its raw form, unpeeled or uncut. Typically purchased by factories or industries with their own processing systems. It's suitable as a starting material.

Pole

Whole rattan that has been cleaned and tidied up is used as the frame or main structure of furniture, such as chair legs, sofa frames, tables, or shelves.

Core

The inner part of rattan, taken after the bark is removed. It is commonly used as stuffing or as a lightweight frame for various crafts and interior construction.

Fitrit

Small-diameter pieces of rattan formed into woven threads. Widely used in making rattan bags, baskets, and as finishing details on furniture.

Each rattan product has a distinct use and is tailored to meet design, structural, and aesthetic needs within the industry. This makes rattan a highly versatile material and a favorite across various creative sectors.

The Advantages of Kubu & Jawit Rattan

Kubu and Jawit rattan are two superior Indonesian rattan varieties with numerous advantages over other raw materials. Their combination of natural characteristics, ease of processing, and visual appeal make them highly sought after in the creative industry market, both domestically and internationally.

1. Environmentally Friendly and Renewable Natural Materials

Rattan grows quickly and can be harvested sustainably without damaging forest ecosystems. Kubu and Jawit rattan originate from Indonesia's tropical forests and are harvested by local communities while maintaining the balance of nature. This makes rattan an environmentally friendly alternative to synthetic materials or hardwoods, which take longer to grow.

2. Durable, Flexible, and Lightweight

Both types of rattan have strong yet flexible fibers, making them ideal for a variety of products—from furniture structures to fine woven details. Besides being lightweight and easy to transport, Kubu and Jawit rattan products are also known for their durability when properly cared for, suitable for both indoor and semi-outdoor use.

3. High Aesthetics and Suitable for Tropical / Boho Style

The bright yellow natural color of Jawit rattan and the distinctive gray of Kubu rattan create a warm and natural feel. Their aesthetic is perfect for tropical, bohemian, rustic, and Scandinavian interior designs. Their unique, handmade appearance also lends an exclusive and artistic feel.

4. High Demand in Export Markets

Kubu and Jawit rattan are in high demand in export markets, particularly in Europe, the Middle East, and East Asia. Global consumer awareness of sustainable products and a return to natural materials have made rattan one of the most sought-after materials in the furniture, crafts, and interior design industries.

These advantages make Kubu and Jawit rattan an asset of the Indonesian rattan industry that has the potential to continue to grow and compete in the global market.

Applications and Derivative Products

With their strong, flexible, and aesthetically pleasing characteristics, Kubu and Jawit rattan are versatile raw materials that can be processed into a variety of high-value products in the creative industries, interior design, and hospitality sectors. Here are some examples of key applications for these two types of rattan:

 1. Furniture

Kubu and Jawit rattan are widely used in the production of various types of household and commercial furniture, including:

Chairs and sofas: using sturdy Jawit rattan frames and covered with Kubu rattan weave for an elegant look.

Tables and shelves: utilize a combination of rattan frames and woven surfaces for a natural look.

Small cabinet or cupboard: the door or side of the cabinet is covered with Kubu Grey woven fabric for a light and artistic impression.

2. Decoration

Rattan is also used for decorative and architectural elements in interior spaces:

Wall & ceiling panels: Kubu rattan weave gives a natural and exotic look to modern homes.

Room divider: light and flexible, suitable for open spaces, galleries, or tropical living rooms

Mirror frames, lampshades and wall hangings: harnessing the flexibility of rattan for artistic forms

3. Handicrafts

Rattan is a favorite material for local craftsmen to make products with aesthetic and functional value:

Rattan bags, woven baskets, and decorative storage

Home accessories such as plate holders, serving trays, tissue holders, and magazine holders

Suitable for sale in both domestic and export markets, with added value in terms of uniqueness and handmade aspects.

 4. Custom Interior for Cafes, Hotels, and Resorts

Natural and tropical design trends make rattan a superior material for commercial interior spaces such as:

Cafe with a boho or rustic concept

Hotels and resorts that emphasize natural nuances and relaxation

Spas, boutiques, and art galleries that promote environmentally friendly and local concepts

With their various shapes and characteristics, Kubu and Jawit rattan are ideal materials for creating products that are both functional and of high artistic value, strengthening Indonesia's position in the global craft and design industry.

Business and Export Opportunities

Amid growing global awareness of the importance of sustainability and environmental preservation, Indonesian rattan—particularly the Kubu and Jawit varieties—has become a leading commodity experiencing increasing demand in the global market. This trend opens up significant opportunities for both large industrial players and local MSMEs.

Tren Global Terhadap Bahan Alami & Produk Berkelanjutan

Pasar internasional, khususnya di Eropa, Amerika, dan Asia Timur, kini sangat mengapresiasi produk-produk yang berasal dari bahan alami dan dihasilkan secara berkelanjutan. Rotan, sebagai bahan alam terbarukan yang tumbuh tanpa merusak hutan, menjadi jawaban atas kebutuhan tersebut. Konsumen global tidak hanya mencari produk fungsional, tetapi juga yang ramah lingkungan, estetis, dan bercerita tentang nilai lokal.

High Demand from European and Asian Markets

Indonesian Kubu and Jawit rattan are known for their superior quality, distinctive natural colors, and flexibility in various design applications. This makes them highly sought-after products in the export market, particularly for:

Furniture and home decor industry

Hotels, resorts and natural interior projects

Retail stores and sustainable lifestyle concepts

Countries such as Germany, the Netherlands, France, Japan, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates are included in the list of major importers of Indonesian rattan products.

Opportunities for MSMEs and Local Industries

Rattan raw materials such as Kubu and Jawit not only have potential in the large industrial sector, but also greatly support the growth of small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in rattan central areas such as Cirebon, Palu, and Kalimantan.

With the support of training, digital marketing, and export partnerships, many MSMEs are now able to:

Processing rattan into high-value products

Penetrate the export market independently or through cooperatives

Collaborating with local and international brands

This is a strategic moment for rattan entrepreneurs to move up a class, expand their networks, and participate in the global movement towards nature-based products and sustainability.

Closing

Kubu and Jawit rattan are more than just raw materials—they are symbols of Indonesia's natural strength and handcrafted beauty, passed down through generations. With their strength, flexibility, high aesthetic value, and eco-friendliness, these two rattan varieties are a mainstay in creating high-value products for both local and international markets.

Amidst the global trend toward natural and sustainable products, now is the time to support the use of quality local materials. Choosing Kubu and Jawit rattan means contributing to environmental preservation, empowering local artisans, and strengthening Indonesia's creative economy on the global stage.