A New Context: Exporting Thai Agricultural Products to Europe Is No Longer Just About Quality
The European Union (EU) remains an attractive and high-potential market for Thai fruits and vegetables such as mangoes, durians, longans, bananas, pineapples, and a variety of fresh vegetables loved by European consumers. However, starting in 2024, Thai exporters face a major challenge beyond quality standards—the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).
This regulation aims to stop deforestation and unsustainable land-use changes within the agricultural supply chain entering the EU market. Importers in the EU must clearly demonstrate that all imported products are “deforestation-free” and, more importantly, traceable back to the exact farm plot in a systematic and accurate manner. This pressure is passed directly to producers and exporters in origin countries like Thailand.
What Does EUDR Require? Not Just Products, But Data
EUDR focuses not only on good-quality products but also on farm management systems and strict traceability. Thai exporters must be ready to provide critical information to European importers, such as:
- Accurate geolocation coordinates of every farm plot.
- Clear evidence that the farm is not located in deforested areas after 2020.
- Robust record-keeping systems for production, harvesting, transportation, and sales.
- Control and monitoring of all stakeholders throughout the supply chain.
Without an internationally recognized standard, preparing this data can lead to high costs, increased risk of errors, and possible rejection by EU importers.
GLOBALG.A.P. IFA 6.0: A Framework Designed to Meet EUDR Requirements
GLOBALG.A.P. IFA Version 6.0 is no longer just a traditional food safety standard. It is an Integrated Farm Assurance framework aligned with EUDR principles, addressing key requirements such as:
| EUDR Requirement | How GLOBALG.A.P. IFA 6.0 Responds |
|---|---|
| Deforestation-free & Traceability | Requires detailed farm geolocation, product segregation, and mass balance record-keeping to link products to their origin quickly and accurately. |
| Land Use & Environmental Protection | Includes strict requirements for land management, conservation of natural areas, and sustainable resource use—providing strong evidence for “deforestation-free” status. |
| Due Diligence Evidence | GLOBALG.A.P.’s documentation system reduces gaps and burdens in preparing the Due Diligence Statement required by EU importers under EUDR. |
GLOBALG.A.P. acts as a recognized intermediary trusted by European buyers, making EUDR compliance smoother.
Practical Example: Thai Mangoes to French Supermarkets
Imagine a mango exporter in Eastern Thailand aiming to supply premium products to leading supermarkets in France. If the farm is certified under GLOBALG.A.P. IFA 6.0, the exporter can:
- Provide certified farm geolocation easily.
- Use harvest and sorting records to link each product lot to its origin.
- Share complete data with importers for their EUDR Due Diligence Statement instantly.
The result: significantly reduced inspection time, minimized risk of product rejection, and enhanced buyer confidence in Europe.
GLOBALG.A.P. IFA 6.0: Not a Cost, But a Strategic Investment
From a business and marketing perspective, obtaining GLOBALG.A.P. IFA 6.0 certification is not just about compliance or meeting customer demands—it is a strategic investment to:
- Maintain and strengthen competitiveness in the increasingly strict EU market.
- Increase bargaining power with buyers/importers through strong, internationally recognized evidence.
- Prepare for future environmental and sustainability regulations that will become even stricter.
For Thai producers and exporters targeting the EU as a key market, adapting farm systems to GLOBALG.A.P. today creates a competitive edge before rivals catch up. GLOBALG.A.P. IFA 6.0 is not just a certificate—it is a gateway to the European market under the EUDR era.
About SGS
SGS is the world’s leading Testing, Inspection and Certification company. We operate a network of over 2,500 laboratories and business facilities across 115 countries, supported by a team of 99,500 dedicated professionals. With over 145 years of service excellence, we combine the precision and accuracy that define Swiss companies to help organizations achieve the highest standards of quality, compliance and sustainability.
Our brand promise – when you need to be sure – underscores our commitment to trust, integrity and reliability, enabling businesses to thrive with confidence. We proudly deliver our expert services through the SGS name and trusted specialized brands, including Brightsight, Bluesign, Maine Pointe and Nutrasource.
SGS is publicly traded on the SIX Swiss Exchange under the ticker symbol SGSN (ISIN CH1256740924, Reuters SGSN.S, Bloomberg SGSN:SW).
238 TRR Tower, 19th-21st Floor, Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra Road,
Chong Nonsi, Yannawa, 10120,
Bangkok, Thailand