China tightens inspection of O and Cadmium gold, slowing down Vietnam's durian exports. This is also the time to shock this industry after a period of rapid growth.

The market has cleared but businesses are still hesitant

At this time last year, Vietnam's off-season durian had become an exclusive product in the Chinese market, thanks to which the selling price increased 2-3 times compared to normal. But this year, Vietnamese businesses are hesitant to export even though the demand in this market is still very high.

Talking to reporters of Cong Thuong Newspaper on this issue, Mr. Nguyen Dinh Tung - CEO of Vina T&T - said that since the end of last year, China has applied a policy of inspecting 100% of durian shipments imported from markets including Vietnam, which has prolonged customs clearance time, increased the risk of damage to goods and businesses are more cautious in exporting. Businesses have temporarily stopped to complete procedures.

Up to this point, although the Chinese market has also recognized Vietnam's laboratories, and the business has also planned to resume exports at the end of February, the business has postponed this time to have more thorough preparations in all stages of the chain, ensuring the highest quality of exported durian.

“Although the market demand is very large. But this market is still tightening the management of yellow O and Cadmium. When exporting durian to China, businesses will take it from many gardens. If just one garden is unfortunately infected, when the goods are sent to China, the business will have to destroy all of them, the damage is huge. Therefore, businesses choose to slow down to rebuild the standard export chain process,” Mr. Nguyen Dinh Tung informed.

According to Mr. Nguyen Dinh Tung, currently some businesses are facing a situation where durian gardens do not cooperate in testing for yellow O or Cadmium, however, this is not the case with gardens in the chain of businesses that place orders. However, businesses do not dare to gamble with their brand and reputation. Everything needs to be carefully prepared, only then can businesses export again. The re-export will also be implemented as soon as possible.

Proposal to expand testing laboratories

Dak Lak is the province with the largest area and output of durian in the country. In the 2024 crop year, Dak Lak province will have about 38,800 hectares of durian, an increase of 4,510 hectares compared to 2023. The exported durian output brings the province hundreds of millions of USD each year.

"This year's crop, durian is just flowering and fruiting, so it is not possible to say whether there will be a good harvest or not," Mr. Vu Duc Con - Chairman of the Dak Lak Durian Association - told reporters of the Industry and Trade Newspaper.

According to Mr. Vu Duc Con, because the main harvest season of Dak Lak durian is around July and August, the impact of tightening inspections for O-gold and Cadmium has not yet affected the durian of this locality. “According to the information we have, the Western region is where durians infected with Cadmium and yellow O are mainly found. With the soil, land and care of the people in the Central Highlands, Cadmium contamination is not as worrisome as in the Western region,” said Mr. Vu Duc Con.

However, according to market regulations, China does not care where the durian is from but has a general requirement of checking 100% of yellow O and durian before exporting. Therefore, Mr. Vu Duc Con is also concerned not at the planting stage but at the harvesting and preliminary processing stage before exporting.

"Yellow O is processed by people when cutting the fruit and preparing it for export. Therefore, we recommend tightening management of the use of this substance," said Mr. Vu Duc Con.

According to Mr. Vu Duc Con, the information we received is that by the end of February 2025, Vietnam will have 6 centers for testing yellow O in durian recognized by China. Dak Lak is the capital of durian cultivation. Meanwhile, these centers are located in Hanoi, Hai Phong, Ho Chi Minh City and Ca Mau.

The fact that the centers for testing yellow O in durian are too far from Dak Lak also causes risks for businesses and people. Because detecting at the root will have a more timely way of handling. Therefore, Mr. Vu Duc Con proposed to bring testing and inspection centers to the locality and promote socialization, there will be more facilities doing this and the distribution will also be more reasonable.

According to the Customs Department, in the first 2 months of 2025, Vietnam's fruit and vegetable exports only reached 687 million USD, down 15.7% over the same period last year. Among the 30 main import markets, China recorded the sharpest decrease, reaching only 306 million USD, down 39% - the deepest decrease ever.

According to Mr. Nguyen Dinh Tung, the tightening of management by the Chinese market is also a normal issue to protect their consumers and Vietnamese export enterprises are forced to adapt. This is also a way to screen out businesses and gardeners who do it right and well, avoiding the situation of hot growth like in the recent past.

This year, although the export of durian to the Chinese market has slowed down somewhat, in return, Vina T&T's fresh coconut export orders to this market have been very good. In addition to the Chinese market, the enterprise also exports to many other markets such as the US, EU, etc.

With changes in export regulations in the markets, Vina T&T is also adjusting its business targets. If at the beginning of the year, this enterprise set an export growth rate of 20%, now it is about 12%.

“With durian, I believe that exports will soon regain their form and this industry will develop sustainably. The current price of durian is about 20% lower than the same period last year, with this price also ensuring income for people,” Mr. Nguyen Dinh Tung informed.

Vietnam’s off-season durian season lasts until the end of March. From mid-April, the western provinces begin to enter the main durian harvest season. Thus, the “golden season” for making money in this industry is gradually coming to an end.

Source: Cong Thuong Newspaper