Green forest fire notification in Laos, Viet Nam

Supply-chain Risk Briefing

1) Summary A moderate-scale wildfire occurred in the border region between Laos and Vietnam from April 3rd to 16th, lasting for two weeks. This fire, which occurred during Southeast Asia's dry season, affected forest areas in the border zone between the two countries, but is currently assessed as stabilized with a Green rating.

2) Supply-chain impact

• Agricultural commodities: Potential air quality deterioration and harvest delays due to fires near agricultural production areas for rice, cassava, rubber, etc. in the Laos-Vietnam border region
• Timber and pulp: Temporary disruptions to timber supply chains due to forest fires, concerns over raw material supply delays to northern Vietnam's paper industry
• Logistics network: Minor impact on trade volumes between the two countries due to temporary traffic restrictions on overland transport routes in border areas
• Power supply: Potential minor impact on regional power grid operations when visibility is impaired due to wildfire smoke

3) Watch points

• Monitor changes in agricultural production and export statistics trends in the Laos-Vietnam border region
• Monitor potential for additional wildfire outbreaks and their spread as Southeast Asia's dry season continues