Mudrinić: Today, after 25 years, FSC is part of our way of working

In an interview for FSC Adria Balkan, he talks about how FSC certification means greater credibility with customers, but also easier access to certain markets and projects where certification is an important criterion.
 

"When we introduced FSC certification in the early 2000s, it was not yet a common practice in Croatia. However, Exportdrvo has always been a strong export-oriented company that operates in various markets – from the European Union to the Middle East and North Africa region and the Far East. Even then, we saw that serious buyers were looking for more than just the goods – they were looking for safety of origin, transparency and accountability in the supply chain.
 

That is why we saw FSC as a strategic decision and not just an administrative requirement. We wanted our partners to know where the wood they buy comes from and to be able to trust the whole process," says Mudrinić about the reasons why they decided on FSC Chain of Custody certification, but also why they keep it today.
 

According to him, after 25 years, FSC is part of their way of working, helping them maintain discipline in the supply chain, ensuring traceability and giving customers additional security. "At a time when the market and regulations are increasingly emphasizing transparency and sustainability, FSC certification is a natural and logical part of our business. We don't just export wood – we export trust in its origin and story," adds Mudrinić.
 

Benefits of FSC certification in Croatia
 

Mudrinić reminds that Croatia has an extremely long tradition of sustainable forest management.
 "Back in the time of Marije Terezije, the Forest Order of 1769 was adopted, which is considered one of the first systematic regulations on forest management in this area and the beginning of organized forestry in Croatia. This tradition of sustainable forest management has continued through the centuries, and FSC certification is today a way to further confirm this approach on the international market. For exporters like us, FSC means greater credibility with customers, but also easier access to certain markets and projects where certification is an important criterion.
 

In addition, FSC helps standardize processes and ensure traceability in the supply chain, which is especially important when working with a large number of partners and markets. Croatia has a centuries-old tradition of sustainable forestry – FSC is today a way to make this tradition visible to the global market," adds Mudrinić.
 

Market development in the Adria Balkans region
 

On the development of the market in the Adria Balkans region, Mudrinić says that it has become significantly professionalized in the last ten years. "In the past, customers mostly looked at the price and delivery time, while today they pay more and more attention to the origin of the raw material, certification and the stability of the supply chain.
 

At the same time, business has become more complex than many people think. The wood industry is strongly tied to the seasonality of certain types of wood, and logistics are constantly changing – from changes in transport costs to the availability of different types of transport. People often don't see how much planning and coordination is hidden behind one shipment of wood.
 

On the other hand, the region has a great advantage in quality raw material and a long tradition of forestry. That is why companies such as Exportdrvo play an important role – we connect Croatian wood products with global markets and act as a kind of bridge between the local wood industry and international customers. Today, it's not just wood that is being sold – it's selling the security of the entire supply chain," Mudrinić adds.
 

Main future trends for forestry in our region
 

According to Mudrinić, several trends will be especially important in the coming years. He points out that the first trend is an increasing emphasis on traceability and transparency in the supply chain. Regulations and the market are increasingly demanding clear information on the origin of timber and the way forests are managed.
 

"Another important trend is the increase in the added value of the product. The region has excellent raw materials, but I see the future in the increasing development of final products – floors, panels, furniture and other products that carry greater value on the international market.
The third trend is the increasing role of wood as a sustainable material in construction and industry. As a renewable material, wood will play an increasingly important role in the transition to a more sustainable economy. Wood is one of the few materials that is natural, renewable and long-lasting at the same time – that's why its importance will only grow in the future," he estimates.
 

Sustainability – professional and personal dimension
 

For Donald Mudrinić, sustainability has both a professional and a very personal dimension. Wood is a material that has been a part of his life since childhood. "My grandfather worked in a sawmill and he was the one who taught me how to saw wood and make small wooden toys. I think that's when I fell in love with wood as a material. That is why I still have a special connection with wood today, not only through work. Whenever I can, I surround myself with wood in my private space – I like wooden joinery, wooden beams, and wooden floors are a must for me.
 

When you work with a material that has grown over decades, you naturally develop a respect for it. That's why for me, sustainability means responsible resource management and long-term thinking – so that we can leave forests and industry in good condition for future generations.
Once you fall in love with wood as a material, you start to look at it differently – with much more respect," said Donald Mudrinić.