Increased durian export batches are warned: 4 main reasons

187 growing area and packing facility codes in violation of the Protocol

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, compared to other durian producing countries such as Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, etc., Vietnam has the advantage of abundant output, with year-round harvest, especially off-season durian.

Recently, the General Administration of Customs of China issued a warning about 30 shipments of Vietnamese durian exported to this market.

In 2023, Vietnam will have about 110,000 hectares of durian growing area, with an output of about 1.2 million tons (more than double in both area and output compared to 2018), of which over 600,000 tons will be exported and the revenue will be about 2.2 billion USD. In 2024, the durian growing area will increase to about 150,000 hectares, with an expected output of 1.5 million tons.

With China being the world's largest durian importer, Vietnam has an additional advantage when exporting durian to China with faster shipping times and therefore more competitive prices compared to some other countries. These are factors that have helped Vietnamese durian make great strides in this market of 1.4 billion people after less than 2 years of joining.

According to data from the Plant Protection Department (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development), to date, the country has had 708 codes for growing areas and 168 codes for fresh durian packaging facilities granted. These codes are mainly concentrated in the Central Highlands and Southern provinces, especially the Mekong Delta (the region leading in the number of codes for growing areas and durian packaging facilities). The main import market for Vietnamese durian is currently China.

However, according to the Plant Protection Department, although the Department has repeatedly warned and requested immediate implementation of measures to remedy violations of the Protocol, many provinces still violate the Protocol, and many provinces with large durian growing areas violate it multiple times. Accordingly, out of a total of 115 growing area codes and 72 packaging facility codes, 80 growing area codes and 43 packaging facility codes violate the Protocol once; 35 growing area codes and 29 packaging facility codes violate it multiple times.

Pointing out the reasons why exported durian shipments are warned in the import market, Mr. Hoang Trung - Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development - said that, firstly , localities have not been really proactive in checking and monitoring export codes after they have been granted in accordance with the regulations of the importing country, especially the Durian Protocol signed with China. The monitoring rate is still low, even many growing area codes and packing facility codes are not monitored according to regulations.

Second , the handling of violations of the Protocol on plant quarantine for durian exported to China has not been timely and thorough.

Third , the quality of supervision has not improved much, supervision is still loose and formal. Although some localities have a high rate of supervision of growing area codes and packaging facility codes, they still violate China's regulations on plant quarantine and food safety according to the announcement of the General Administration of Customs of China in the past.

Fourth , many localities, businesses and individual organizations are only interested in guidelines for establishing and issuing new ones, but have not focused resources (human and financial) on monitoring durian growing area codes and durian packing facility codes after approval.

“These are also the main reasons leading to the fact that many durian shipments have received warnings of violations of plant quarantine and food safety in recent times and there are signs of an increase,” Mr. Hoang Trung emphasized.

On May 10, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development held a conference to promote durian exports in Ho Chi Minh City.

It must be frankly admitted that the above-mentioned shortcomings and limitations originate from the subjective causes of the actors involved in the management, production and purchasing of the durian industry. This not only affects the warned shipment but also risks causing the entire durian industry of Vietnam to be considered for stricter control measures, even temporarily suspending imports, especially from the Chinese market. This will not only directly affect production and export but also seriously affect the image and reputation of Vietnamese agricultural products in the international market.

Thoroughly solve the problem, protect the image and reputation of Vietnamese agricultural products

To solve these problems, aiming at sustainable and effective durian production and export, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development requests the Department of Crop Production to direct and guide localities to determine the scale of concentrated growing areas to ensure compliance with approved planning and orientation; complete the system of legal documents regulating the management of growing areas, packaging facilities and sanctions for violations;...

At the same time, the Plant Protection Department is requested to develop monitoring programs on food safety and quality standards for exported durian, and to have training and coaching plans for localities. Continue to negotiate to expand the export market for durian and durian products. Continue to urge and guide localities to verify the causes and implement remedial measures for durian growing areas and packaging facilities that violate the regulations. Strengthen guidance and professional training for local officials, organizations and individuals on the regulations of importing countries. Step up inspection, examination, supervision and strict handling of cases of fraud and repeated non-compliance with the plant quarantine requirements of importing countries. Direct plant quarantine agencies at border gates to strengthen quarantine inspection of exported durian shipments.

The Ministry also requested localities to strengthen the role, responsibility and awareness of relevant agencies, units, businesses and producers to strictly implement cultivation and harvesting processes; manage the quality and trace the origin of exported durian to ensure compliance with regulations according to market requirements; strengthen inspection and examination after granting codes; detect and strictly handle violations and repeated violations;...

For growing areas and packaging facilities, it is necessary to strictly comply with production and harvesting processes that meet the requirements of the Protocol; improve production techniques. Develop and strictly implement packaging processes according to the approved one-way principle; invest in equipment, improve packaging processes, improve management capacity, and train human resources to implement technical measures according to the regulations of the importing country.

Export associations and enterprises need to proactively learn and comply with technical requirements on codes of importing countries; participate in training to raise awareness and understanding of requirements of importing countries. Require product suppliers to have clear origins, be supplied from growing areas, packaging facilities that have been approved for codes and are strictly controlled.

According to Chinese statistics, in the first quarter of 2024, China imported 48,000 tons of durian through the Huu Nghi Quan border gate, worth 1.85 billion yuan (about 2.56 million USD). Of which, the import volume of Vietnamese durian increased sharply, reaching 35,000 tons, worth 1.28 billion yuan (about 1.77 million USD).

Source: https://congthuong.vn/gia-tang-lo-sau-rieng-xuat-khau-bi-canh-bao-4-nguyen-nhan-chinh-319402.html