Vietnamese fruit and vegetable exports abroad decreased in the first two months of the year, authorities recommend

Fruit and vegetable exports to decrease in early 2025

Mr. Nguyen Van Muoi, Deputy General Secretary of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, said that currently, durian accounts for nearly 50% of Vietnam's fruit and vegetable export turnover. However, in January 2025, durian exports of all kinds only reached 9 thousand tons, worth 31.28 million USD, down 58.3% in volume and 63.2% in value compared to December 2024. Compared to January 2024, it decreased by 66.9% in volume and 73.2% in value.

Preliminary calculations by mid-February 2025 show that Vietnam has only exported about 3,500 tons of durian, down over 80% compared to the same period in 2024. The main reason is believed to be China's increased inspection of imported product quality, especially related to residues of yellow O and Cadmium on durian, after discovering these substances on Thai durian.

Mr. Nguyen Van Muoi, Deputy General Secretary of Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association. Photo: NVCC

From the beginning of 2025, all durian shipments imported into China must have Cadmium and Yellow O residue analysis results, conducted at laboratories recognized by this country. This is a mandatory regulation applied not only to Vietnamese products but also to all exporting countries, making the export process complicated and time-consuming. The sharp decline in durian exports has affected the overall export turnover of the entire fruit and vegetable industry.

In 2024, durian exports will reach 3.4 billion USD, contributing nearly 50% of the total export turnover of the entire fruit and vegetable industry, reaching more than 7.15 billion USD. However, in the first two months of 2025, output and export turnover have decreased sharply.

If the issues related to the quality of durian in particular and the fruit and vegetable industry in general are well resolved, Vietnam's fruit and vegetable exports could reach 8 billion USD by 2025.

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Increase the rate of pesticide testing on some fruits

Currently, in addition to the Chinese market, many other markets are also raising import standards. The US bans 7 active ingredients with pesticide residues, requiring growing area codes and packaging codes issued by the US Department of Agriculture. Europe also increased the rate of pesticide inspection on some fruits from 10% to 20%.

Durian accounts for nearly 50% of Vietnam's fruit and vegetable export turnover. Photo: Van Nguyen

In the coming time, if the inspection barriers are not removed soon, the export target of 8 billion USD this year will be affected. To maintain growth and achieve the export target in 2025, producers and businesses need to comply with new inspection regulations, tighten the link between production and purchasing to improve product quality. In addition, processed products need to be invested in designs that meet the standards of importing countries.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment has advised people and durian exporting enterprises to absolutely not use banned chemicals or allow the maximum allowable residue level to exceed the threshold prescribed by the importing country. At the same time, there should be food safety control programs in gardens, growing areas and at packaging, processing and preservation facilities to facilitate exports.

Currently, Vietnam has 9 testing labs recognized by China and is waiting for approval of 6 more files to expand testing capacity, helping to reduce pressure in the export process.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment is promoting negotiations with China to resume durian exports as stipulated in the protocol signed by the two countries.

At the same time, a chemical residue monitoring program is being implemented nationwide to control quality right from the production stage, ensuring that products meet export standards. This is expected to strengthen the international market's confidence in Vietnamese durian.