The rubber industry is the first agricultural sector with protected certification marks in Vietnam and key export markets.
On the afternoon of August 31, in Ho Chi Minh City, the Trade Promotion Department (Ministry of Industry and Trade) and the Vietnam Rubber Association (VRA) signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in trade promotion and brand development activities of the Vietnamese rubber industry.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Vu Ba Phu, Director of the Trade Promotion Department, said that rubber is one of the few industries in Vietnam that is active in building the industry brand, with the industry certification mark “Cao su Viet Nam/Vietnam Rubber” very early. Vietnam Rubber Industry Group (VRG) has also actively built many brands of its products. This shows that the awareness of enterprises and VRA for brand issues in investment, production, and business is very high. However, it is important for the brand to have good support for production and business, otherwise, it is a waste of resources.
The leaders of the Vietnam Rubber Association and the Trade Promotion Department signed a memorandum of cooperation between the two parties. (Photo: Internet)
In the coming time, the Trade Promotion Department will coordinate with the Vietnam Rubber Association to develop a strategy to promote the brand of Vietnam’s rubber industry within the framework of the national trade promotion program. This is to increase the awareness of importers as well as final consumers about products branded “Cao su Viet Nam/Vietnam Rubber”.
Mr. Vu Ba Phu also recommended that rubber enterprises should actively adapt to green consumption trends, green growth, and the world’s green economy to avoid being passive in the future.
According to the Vietnam Rubber Association, the certification mark “Cao su Viet Nam/ Vietnam Rubber” has been protected by the Department of Intellectual Property since 2014 and was announced for use in 2016. In addition, the trademark has been registered and protected in key markets such as Taiwan (China), India, Laos, China, and Cambodia. Up to now, 82 products of 29 factories belonging to 17 enterprises have been granted the right to use this trademark and recorded/identified in the domestic and foreign markets.
Vietnam is ranked fifth in the world for rubber growing area but third in the world for rubber export output thanks to its world-leading productivity. However, Vietnam’s rubber selling price is lower than other countries in the region due to concerns from customers, the stability of quality, and the reputation of the business. In particular, small rubber sources are accounting for 57% of production but the quality is not stable, and uniform and there is no quality control system from the state management agency.
As of the first 8 months of 2022, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development informed the value of rubber exports had reached more than $2 billion, up 8.1% compared to the same period in 2021.