The FSC® forest certification group of the Hue Cooperative Alliance represents cooperatives managing FSC-certified plantation forests, working toward sustainable forestry practices. These cooperatives, as members of the Cooperative Alliance, share common goals and tasks in planting and managing forests sustainably with FSC certification.
In early February 2024, the FSC® forest certification group of the Thua Thien Hue Cooperative Alliance (now Hue City) received FSC certification from GFA Certification GmbH for five cooperatives: Hoa My Agricultural Cooperative, Thuy Phuong Cooperative, Thuy Duong Cooperative, Thuy Phu Cooperative, and Phu Bai Cooperative. The certification covered 87 member households and 405.74 hectares of plantation forests. As of now, the certified area has expanded to 461.01 hectares, with participation from 105 member households.
Challenges in Linking FSC-Certified Timber Consumption
Due to the limited area of FSC-certified forests, the group faced significant challenges in connecting with FSC-certified timber buyers throughout the year. To address these difficulties, in late December 2024, the Cooperative Alliance continued to seek and meet with companies in the region to establish links for purchasing FSC-certified timber on behalf of cooperative members.
Agreement for Stable Consumption of FSC-Certified Timber
Following discussions and negotiations between the parties, on January 15, 2025, the FSC® forest certification group of the Hue Cooperative Alliance signed a memorandum of commitment with Phat Huy Co., Ltd. to ensure stable consumption of FSC-certified acacia plantation timber.
In this agreement:
- The Hue Cooperative Alliance serves as the bridge and representative for cooperatives with FSC-certified acacia plantations to establish sustainable and stable timber sales.
- The deal promotes sustainable forest management and guarantees stable consumption of FSC-certified acacia timber.
- The negotiated price is 10–15% higher than the market price at the same time, offering better economic returns for cooperative members.
- Timber can be sold in various forms, such as standing trees or self-harvested and transported to the company.
Positive Impacts of the Agreement
This agreement marks a significant step forward for the FSC-certified acacia plantation timber market in Hue. It sets a foundation for encouraging small-scale forestry households and cooperatives to actively participate in sustainable forest management and FSC certification. This move incentivizes better plantation practices while offering higher economic benefits for forestry households.
Future Goals
In the coming years, the Cooperative Alliance aims to mobilize more members to participate in sustainable forest management with FSC certification. This effort is expected to:
- Provide forest growers with a stable source of income.
- Align with Hue City’s broader objectives of managing and developing large-scale acacia plantations for timber production.
Author: Nguyen Nhu Thi