Rather than supply-demand dynamics, limited testing capacity has become an unintended “regulatory valve”, directly influencing procurement activities and durian prices in the Mekong Delta. When export “clearance” is delayed, the entire chain—from traders to exporters—falls into a reactive position, causing price volatility.

Testing bottlenecks reverse market dynamics

The Mekong Delta is Vietnam’s key durian production region, with rapidly expanding scale. In Dong Thap alone, the most established growing area, total cultivation exceeds 32,100 hectares, with annual output reaching over 557,000 tonnes.

Nationwide, durian cultivation has surpassed 200,000 hectares, with estimated output of around 2 million tonnes per year, contributing significantly to fruit and vegetable export turnover, which exceeded USD 1.527 billion in the first three months of the year.

However, the expansion of raw material zones has not been matched by testing capacity. This has become a major bottleneck in the value chain, particularly as China tightens import controls.

Mr. Tran Thanh Tam, Head of the Sub-Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection of Dong Thap, noted that Vietnam currently has only 13 laboratories approved by China to test for Cadmium and 17 for Auramine O. “In Dong Thap alone, four units have completed their applications but are still awaiting approval,” he said.

Beyond limited capacity, testing operations carry high risk. If a shipment passes domestic certification but fails re-testing in China, not only exporters risk losing their packing facility codes, but laboratories may also face penalties.

In Dong Thap, the impact has been substantial. Of 111 durian packing facilities, 80 have been temporarily suspended due to issues related to Cadmium and Auramine O. “If Auramine O is detected, suspension is immediate, while Cadmium violations may lead to suspension after repeated warnings,” Mr. Tam added.

This risk has made laboratories increasingly cautious, while their number remains limited. As a result, any disruption in testing immediately affects the market.

Ms. To Mong Hong, Director of Khai Hoan Trading Development Co., Ltd., stated that even a single negative signal from testing units can trigger price drops. “For example, on April 12, when a laboratory was unable to conduct testing, the price of Ri6 durian dropped nearly VND 20,000/kg, from VND 82,000 to VND 65,000,” she said.

According to Ms. Hong, such fluctuations can cost businesses hundreds of millions of dong in a single day. Moreover, the shortage of testing facilities forces exporters to wait 2–7 days for sample scheduling before purchasing, delaying procurement and consumption.

Mr. Vo Tan Loi, Chairman of the Dong Thap Durian Association, added that there have been instances where hundreds of containers were unable to be exported due to testing bottlenecks.

At the cooperative level, Mr. Tran Huu Toan, Director of Ngu Hiep Durian Cooperative, said goods sometimes had to wait up to 15 days, leading to quality degradation and increased risk of rejection.

Removing testing bottlenecks and restructuring into “green channels”

Stakeholders agree that coordinated solutions are needed, with priority given to resolving testing constraints.

According to Ms. Hong, both exporters and testing units are under significant pressure due to the risk of license revocation. However, if laboratories remain overly cautious and limit operations, exporters will be unable to procure goods, leaving farmers without market access.

“Businesses may take 6–12 months to restore packing codes if revoked due to violations. But if we stop purchasing, who will buy from farmers?” she questioned, calling for greater collaboration from testing units.

From a technical perspective, Mr. Tran Minh Chau, Deputy Technical Director of Vinacontrol Ho Chi Minh City, stated that the company would adopt more flexible sampling methods to support exporters. However, in the long term, the approach needs to shift from end-product testing to full-chain control.

The traceability programme introduced by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment is seen as a fundamental solution. By controlling the entire production process—from soil, water, cultivation to harvesting—export shipments can be classified under “green channels” by China, enabling faster customs clearance. “Two pilot containers were successfully exported under this mechanism on April 10,” Mr. Chau noted.

From an industry perspective, Mr. Vo Tan Loi emphasized the importance of developing and protecting newly established cultivation areas, which may have lower risks of Cadmium contamination compared to long-established zones. He also highlighted the need for enhanced technical training for farmers to ensure compliance.

Another critical issue is strengthening value chain linkages, particularly incorporating traders—who currently control more than 50% of supply—into the formal management system, potentially through licensing mechanisms to improve quality control.

Meanwhile, Mr. Toan from Ngu Hiep Cooperative stressed the urgent need for clear technical guidelines to address Cadmium contamination. “Farmers are asking how to deal with Cadmium, but there is still no clear answer,” he said.

Source: Kinh te Sai Gon Online