This is information given at a meeting on implementation and implementation plan of activities to support adaptation of EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) for coffee and rubber industries in Vietnam, organized by Ministry of Agriculture and Environment on June 26, in Hanoi.
Just a few mistakes can lead to warnings
Sharing at the meeting, Mr. Tran Quang Bao, Director of Department of Forestry and Forest Protection, said that Vietnamese wood industry fully complies with and actively responds to the EUDR Regulation.
In field of traceability, especially factor of whether there is deforestation or not, Vietnam and European Union have signed the Voluntary Partnership Agreement VPA/FLEGT, demonstrating a strong commitment to the enforcement of forestry laws.
Vietnamese government also strictly controls the conversion of forest land use purposes, which is one of the reasons why Vietnam is ranked in the group of countries with a low risk of deforestation.
However, we still have to implement clear traceability, like case of "IUU yellow card" in the fisheries industry, although most of them do well, just a few mistakes can lead to warnings.
According to specialized agencies, the most important task from now until end of the year is to complete integrated database system serving EUDR. This is not only data serving product traceability but also a national information platform consisting of three main components: forest database (EUDR), planting area data and product traceability system based on polygon coordinates.
Specifically, forest data records forest boundaries at two points in time: December 31, 2020 and time of inspection. Planting area data collects information on location of garden, household, yield and crop species. Traceability system will connect from orchards to purchasing agents and businesses, with reporting forms in accordance with EU regulations.
Regarding this, according to Mr. Nguyen Do Anh Tuan, Director of Department of International Cooperation, Vietnam is currently classified in the “low risk” group according to EC classification. This helps reduce frequency of inspection of export shipments to 1%, instead of 3% in the “medium risk” group or 9% in the “high risk” group. However, the most important part now is that the “bottom line” data, that is, local data, farmers, and traders, must be sufficient for businesses to declare traceability records. Meanwhile, the core factor for operating EUDR is complete data and the ability to share information according to EU requirements.
Accordingly, data serving EUDR is not only a state management resource but also a tool for businesses to use directly. Data management and sharing need to be synchronous and transparent while still ensuring information security. The Department proposed to organize direct work with the provinces after the merger in July, to ensure smooth connection from the central to the grassroots level.
Do not let any reason hinder exports
Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Hoang Trung emphasized that from now until the beginning of 2026, there is not much time left, so it is necessary to move from pilot phase to comprehensive implementation. Three main commodity groups: coffee, rubber and wood must be exported smoothly, without any reason to hinder.
Therefore, it is necessary to complete software system and background data, including area data, coordinate maps, information on growers and traders, output, to serve the entire traceability process.
In addition, organize extensive training and propaganda in localities, especially key coffee and rubber areas. Implementation needs to be flexible, in line with the process of merging district and commune authorities from July 2025.
At the same time, fully synthesize data related to rubber, especially smallholder groups, to build a baseline data set for the new system. Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection needs to act as a focal point to coordinate with localities and enterprises to promote chain linkages and support farmers.
Currently, IDH is the sponsor of pilot implementation of system with an area of 137,000 hectares of coffee in Central Highlands, aiming to expand to 462,000 hectares, equivalent to 80% of total area of key coffee areas. However, for rubber alone, there is currently no funding source for smallholder areas. Therefore, Mr. Hoang Trung assigned Department of International Cooperation, IDH and related projects to establish a specialized working group on EUDR, both providing technical support and acting as an official dialogue focal point with EU to reflect characteristics of decentralized supply chain.
“Ensure that by January 1, 2026, export of three key commodity groups including coffee, rubber and wood to the EU must take place smoothly and without interruption. All conditions on traceability, data, records and techniques must be completed before this time,” said Mr. Hoang Trung.

Source: Vitic/ congthuong.vn