Tightening management and protecting billion-dollar export industry

Accounting for nearly 50% of total fruit and vegetable export turnover

According to the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, in 2024, Vietnam's fruit and vegetable export turnover set a record of 7.2 billion USD, 1.6 billion USD higher than in 2023. This is an impressive leap, marking an important milestone on the journey towards the export target of 10 billion USD in the near future.

Durian export turnover in key markets has increased sharply. Photo: TL

Among export items, durian dominates, bringing in about 3.4 billion USD, equivalent to 45% of total fruit and vegetable export turnover, up 7.8 times compared to 2022. Fresh bananas also recorded a big step forward, reaching a revenue of 380 million USD, a growth of 30%, surpassing strong competitors such as the Philippines and Ecuador in the Chinese market.

According to data from the China Customs Administration, in the first 11 months of 2024, the country's durian imports reached 1.53 million tons, worth 6.83 billion USD, up 9.4% in volume and 3.9% in value compared to the same period in 2023. China increased durian imports from Vietnam, the Philippines, and Malaysia, but reduced imports from Thailand. Of which, Vietnam accounts for 47% of the market share in this market.

The average import price of durian into China in the first 11 months of 2024 reached 4,464 USD/ton, down 5.1% compared to the same period in 2023. Of which, the average import price of durian from Vietnam to China decreased by 8%, to 3,975 USD/ton; from the Philippines decreased by 31.8%, to 2,408 USD/ton. In contrast, the average import price of durian from Thailand to China increased by 0.6%, to 4,938 USD/ton.

Notably, recently, CNBC reported that Vietnam has become a new "giant" in the global durian market, with an export value of about 3.3 billion USD in 2024.

CNBC assessed that Vietnam has achieved outstanding success thanks to an overall strategy that includes improving quality, innovating technology and expanding international markets. With up to 150,000 hectares of durian growing area, Vietnam effectively utilizes areas such as the Mekong Delta and highlands to produce high-quality durian all year round.

In addition, Vietnam has signed a strategic trade agreement with China through the 2022 Export Protocol, committing to ensuring product quality according to strict food safety standards, product tracking and applying modern freezing technology.

Tightening management and protecting billion-dollar export industry

Vietnam is still trying to surpass Thailand to become the largest exporter of durian to China. According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, in recent times, to boost agricultural exports, especially fruits, the industry has coordinated with localities to improve quality, increase the number of codes for growing areas, farming facilities, packaging facilities.

A durian packaging facility in Dak Lak province. Photo: Tran Cao

To date, 8,052 growing area codes and 1,596 packing facility codes have been granted; in 2024 alone, 1,194 growing area codes and 175 packing facility codes have been granted for fresh fruits: dragon fruit, mango, star apple, banana, grapefruit, passion fruit, seedless lemon, longan, lychee, chili, black jelly... These are codes associated with products permitted for export to the following markets: China, the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Korea, Japan, EU...

Mr. Dang Phuc Nguyen - General Secretary of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association - commented that with the Government's receptiveness and support, in 2025, the fruit and vegetable industry will continue to set a new record in export turnover. And it is forecasted that by 2030, fruit and vegetable exports will reach a turnover of 10 billion USD, equal to that of seafood exports.

Talking about the future direction for the fruit and vegetable industry, Mr. Dang Phuc Nguyen said that in addition to the main products such as durian, it is necessary to diversify and promote the development of other potential fruits such as bananas, mangoes, dragon fruit, etc. In addition, in parallel with the export of fresh fruits, it is necessary to further promote the export of processed fruits and vegetables. At the same time, the quality of Vietnamese fruit and vegetable products will be further improved, ensuring food safety and hygiene standards to meet the increasingly high requirements of the international market.

Sharing the same opinion on this, Mr. Nguyen Dinh Tung - General Director of Vina T&T Company - said that each import market has set up a different and very difficult technical barrier. For example, in the United States, 7 residue active ingredients are banned, requiring a growing area code and a packing plant code issued by the US Department of Agriculture. Meanwhile, in the EU, although all Vietnamese fruit products are allowed to be exported without having to negotiate, they require a ban on 36 residue active ingredients and they randomly check each shipment.

Or like the Chinese market, there are also technical barriers, in addition to the growing area code, the packaging factory code issued by China, they also regularly check substances such as heavy metals or add new requirements. This requires the Vietnamese fruit and vegetable industry to always monitor the market, closely follow to meet the needs and requirements of that market. Besides, the important thing that this industry needs to do in the coming time is to strongly develop good preservation technology so that it can go far when transported by sea and consume large quantities.

Regarding this issue, to strengthen the management of the quality of Vietnam's fresh fruit exports, ensure compliance with the regulations on plant quarantine and food safety of importing countries, and avoid the risk of being subject to control measures from importing countries, recently, the Plant Protection Department (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development) has issued a document directing units to tighten inspection and supervision of growing areas and export packaging facilities; develop plans and organize the implementation of a monitoring program on food safety and quality standards of exported fruits in growing areas and packaging facilities that have been granted codes; and disseminate and train to widely disseminate the regulations of importing countries.

In particular, the specialized agency must notify the temporary suspension of all growing area codes and packaging facilities for cases of non-compliance with plant quarantine and food safety regulations of the Plant Protection Department.

In addition, growing areas and packaging facilities must also strictly carry out pesticide residue and heavy metal testing and traceability as a mandatory condition in granting and maintaining growing area and packaging facility codes as required by the importing country.

For owners of growing area codes and packaging facilities who do not directly export but allow other organizations and individuals to export products from their growing areas and packaging facilities, the Plant Protection Department requires them to send a written notice to the provincial specialized agency. The notice clearly states the expected export volume from the growing area in the year and the name of the exporting unit.

According to Mr. Hoang Trung - Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, strengthening inspection and strict supervision of packaging and export facilities; strictly handling violations requires drastic participation of localities, departments, branches and functional agencies to avoid future consequences. This is also a way for us to join hands to protect the reputation of industries, especially the durian industry.

Mr. Nguyen Dinh Tung - General Director of Vina T&T Company - commented: The growth of the entire Vietnamese fruit and vegetable industry in 2025 will likely reach double digits, estimated at about 15 - 16%.

Source: https://congthuong.vn/siet-chat-quan-ly-bao-ve-nganh-hang-xuat-khau-ty-usd-369047.html