(VAN) Although the EUDR has yet to officially take effect, VRG has already sold a significant volume of rubber that complies with this regulation.
It is now almost certain that the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) will officially come into force on January 1, 2027. In this context, the Viet Nam Rubber Group (VRG) is confident that the unit will be able to maintain its rubber exports to the EU beyond that date thanks to its proactive implementation of the regulation’s requirements in recent years.
Speaking at a consultation workshop on the draft guidance document for EUDR compliance in Viet Nam’s rubber industry, Mr. Diep Xuan Truong, Deputy Head of the Industry Department at VRG, said the Group began implementing measures to adapt to the EUDR immediately after the EU adopted the regulation.
Rubber processing at VRG’s factory. Photo: Son Trang.
Specifically, in 2023, the Group initiated a series of preparatory activities for EUDR compliance, including studying the regulation’s key requirements, exchanging with EU customers and partners, and consulting with relevant ministries, sectors, and agencies to assess the feasibility of implementation.
In 2024, VRG organized a study tour to Côte d’Ivoire to learn from the country’s EUDR implementation model, conducted awareness training, and developed interim implementation guidelines. In July 2024, the Group began rolling out its EUDR compliance program across the organization.
As a result, in early December 2024, VRG held an official ceremony to announce its EUDR compliance milestone, during which it recognized the first three member companies to meet the EUDR requirements and gain customer acceptance. The companies included Dong Nai Rubber Corporation, Dau Tieng Rubber Corporation, and Chu Se – Kampong Thom Rubber Joint Stock Company (Cambodia).
Following this milestone, VRG continued to accelerate EUDR compliance across all of its natural rubber subsidiaries. To date, all rubber plantations managed by the Group have met the EUDR’s deforestation-free requirement.
According to Mr. Diep Xuan Truong, VRG currently manages approximately 377,000 hectares of rubber plantations. As of June 2026, 29 member companies had compiled the documentation required under the EUDR, covering a total area of approximately 305,905 hectares, equivalent to about 81% of the Group’s total plantation area.
Of these, 23 companies have either obtained PEFC-EUDR certification or had their compliance recognized by customers, covering a total area of approximately 210,304 hectares. This reflects the recognition from third-party certifiers and international partners of VRG’s efforts to comply with the EUDR.
Rubber tapping at VRG’s member company. Photo: Son Trang.
In October 2025, VRG announced the “VRG GREEN” certification mark. The label symbolizes green, low-emission, and sustainable rubber products while reflecting the Group’s commitment to “Quality – Sustainability – Transparency.” Particularly, one of the requirements for products to carry the VRG GREEN certification mark is that the natural rubber must be sourced from verified and controlled origins, achieve PEFC-FM/CS/DDS and Chain of Custody (CoC) certification, and comply with the EUDR regulation.
Thus, it can be said that “VRG GREEN” is more than a certification mark; it represents the realization of VRG’s sustainability commitments, including its commitment to complying with the EUDR. In the coming period, the Group plans to complete EUDR compliance across all of its natural rubber subsidiaries, particularly those located in the South Central Coast and the Northern Midlands and Mountainous Region.
Although the EUDR has not yet to officially take effect, many of VRG’s customers have already shown strong interest in and purchased EUDR-compliant rubber products. As a result, the Group has sold a substantial volume of EUDR-compliant rubber.
According to Mr. Diep Xuan Truong, VRG sold approximately 10,000 tons of EUDR-compliant rubber in 2025 and the first six months of 2026. Compared with rubber lacking EUDR compliance documentation, these products offered a value difference of USD 120–250/tons, generating an estimated additional revenue of around VND 30 billion.
The EU is one of the most important export markets for Viet Nam’s rubber industry. According to Mr. Vo Hoang An, Secretary General of the Viet Nam Rubber Association (VRA), the EU is currently Viet Nam’s third-largest rubber market, after China and the United States.
In 2025, Viet Nam’s rubber exports, including natural rubber and rubber products, reached USD 8.396 billion. Of that total, exports to the EU reached USD 772.2 million, comprising USD 656.8 million in rubber products and USD 115.4 million in natural rubber, accounting for 9.2% of the country’s total rubber export turnover.
Secretary General of the Viet Nam Rubber Association Vo Hoang An assessed that the EU is a demanding market with stringent requirements for traceability and sustainability. At the same time, this market offers stable demand and considerable room for further growth. Meanwhile, the EU–Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) is creating more favorable conditions for Vietnamese businesses to expand their access to the EU market.
$1 = VND 26,463 – Source: Vietcombank
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