Thailand Adjusts EUDR Rubber Export Target to 90,000 Tons, Boosts Traceability

The Rubber Board of Thailand (GTR) has decided to revise its rubber export target to 90,000 tons, a reduction from its initial plans, in response to the European Union's (EU) new Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). This decision is a measure to comply with the stringent requirements of the EUDR, which mandates the certification of products' links to deforestation and land conversion within their supply chains. Compliance with this regulation is essential for Thai rubber to maintain access to the EU market. Concurrently, the GTR announced its policy to strengthen the promotion of the "Thai Traceability" system. This system aims to ensure traceability throughout the entire process of rubber production, processing, and export. The objective is to prove to the international community that Thai rubber is produced sustainably and not linked to deforestation, thereby enhancing the credibility and competitiveness of Thai rubber. The downward revision of the target suggests that time is needed to rebuild the production and management systems to meet the EUDR's requirements. However, this is seen as part of a strategy to enhance the brand value of Thai rubber through improved traceability and to foster the development of a sustainable rubber industry in the long term. Source: MGR Online (Politics)