In the context of markets increasingly tightening standards for quality and information transparency, affixing traceability stamps to fruit is no longer an option but has become a mandatory requirement.

From domestic supermarket systems to export markets, QR codes are playing the role of a "passport," helping Vietnamese agricultural products enhance their value and affirm their brands. However, for this tool to be effective, synchronized solutions are needed to remove barriers regarding costs, procedures, and chain linkages.

Reducing transaction risks

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, there are currently 9,336 growing area codes and 1,379 packaging facility codes nationwide dedicated to fresh fruit exports. Compared to the scale of production, these figures remain modest. Meanwhile, traceability is now a mandatory condition for exports, not just in the domestic market. Many importing countries consider this a prerequisite for controlling quality and ensuring food safety. This makes QR stamps a "transit pass" for Vietnamese fruit when participating in the global supply chain.

From a business perspective, Ms. Ngo Tuong Vy, General Director of Chanh Thu Fruit Import-Export Group Joint Stock Company (Ho Chi Minh City), stated that traceability platforms significantly reduce risks in international transactions. Thanks to transparent data, businesses can proactively meet partner requirements instead of passively handling incidents on a shipment-by-shipment basis.

According to the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, in the first four months of 2026, the country's fruit and vegetable export turnover reached nearly 2.06 billion USD, a 22% increase compared to the previous year. Mr. Dang Phuc Nguyen, General Secretary of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, remarked that these results show the Vietnamese fruit and vegetable industry is effectively capitalising on international market opportunities while gradually affirming its position among Vietnam's key agricultural export sectors through strict monitoring of processes from production to preliminary processing, processing, and consumption.

As one of the leading localities in applying traceability technology, Hanoi has built and operated traceability systems for many agricultural products. In specialized fruit-growing areas, affixing QR stamps has gradually become a production standard.

A prime example is the "tom vang" pomelo cultivation model in Dan Phuong Commune. Mr. Nguyen Quy Thanh, Director of the Tom Vang Pomelo Cooperative, stated that the local pomelo cultivation area has reached 152 hectares. Residents have boldly invested in net houses, automatic irrigation systems, and applied organic production processes and biotechnology to improve product quality. Notably, attaching QR traceability codes to each pomelo helps consumers easily verify the origin, thereby increasing trust and product value.

Building a rigorous yet accessible traceability system

However, despite positive results, implementing traceability for agricultural products still faces many difficulties. Notably, procedures for granting growing area codes and participating in traceability systems remain complex, requiring multiple verification steps. Investment costs for labels, management software, and quality testing are also a burden for many cooperatives and production households. Additionally, the connection and synchronization of data between traceability systems remain limited, causing difficulties for businesses when they need to verify information, especially in export activities.

To ensure that traceability stamps truly become a driving force for enhancing fruit value and promoting exports in 2026, Mr. Huynh Tan Dat, Director of the Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection (Ministry of Agriculture and Environment), stated that the Agriculture and Environment sector is moving toward unifying cultivation log recording methods and standardizing procedures for using agricultural materials and pest control measures in accordance with international practices. The goal is to build a traceability system that is both rigorous and easy to apply, centered around people and businesses.

At the macro level, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Hoang Trung emphasized that localities need to quickly complete and operate a unified national agricultural traceability system. This system must ensure data connectivity, information transparency, and ease of use, thereby reducing procedures for businesses and producers. Along with this, accelerating the issuance of growing area codes and packaging facility codes is identified as a core task. This serves as the foundation for building an effective traceability system that meets the increasingly strict requirements of the international market. Regarding costs, regulatory agencies need to continue maintaining and expanding support policies, particularly in supporting the establishment of traceability systems and label printing. Reducing costs will provide opportunities for many small-scale production households to participate in modern value chains.

Affixing traceability stamps is becoming an inevitable trend, not only helping Vietnamese fruit meet market requirements but also opening opportunities to enhance value and build sustainable brands. With the synchronized involvement of regulatory agencies, businesses, and the public, 2026 is expected to mark an important turning point, driving the Vietnamese fruit and vegetable industry toward the 10 billion USD export target and reaching further into the international market through quality and transparency.

Source: Co quan Bao va Phat thanh, truyen hinh Ha Noi