In January 2025, fruit and vegetable exports are estimated to reach 417 million USD, down 11.3% compared to the previous month and 5.2% compared to the same period in 2024.

The Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association said that exports at the beginning of the year faced many difficulties, especially with durian - a staple product. The main reason is believed to be that China has increased quality control of a potentially carcinogenic pesticide, called yellow O. This strict inspection has led to congestion and many shipments have had to be sold at cheap prices in the domestic market.

Many export enterprises said they had temporarily stopped selling durian to China in the first month of the year. Entering February, enterprises are completing procedures to participate in testing at 9 centers recognized by China. "9 centers is quite a small number, Vietnam needs to promote more to avoid congestion during the peak season," said the leader of an export enterprise in Tien Giang.

Mr. Dang Phuc Nguyen, General Secretary of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, commented that if the inspection barriers are not removed soon, the export target of 8 billion USD this year will be difficult to achieve. Not only China, many other markets have also raised import standards. The US banned 7 active ingredients with pesticide residues and required growing area codes and packaging codes issued by the US Department of Agriculture. Europe increased the rate of pesticide testing on many types of fruit from 10% to 20%.

Currently, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has announced a list of 9 testing laboratories recognized by Vietnam and China as qualified to issue certification. This is the basis for Vietnamese durian to continue to penetrate the market worth nearly 10 billion USD.

With the licensed yellow O testing laboratories, export activities have resumed and durian prices will increase again in the coming time. Vietnam's off-season durian season will last until the end of March. From mid-April, the western provinces will begin the main durian harvest season.

In 2023, Vietnam's fruit and vegetable exports will reach a record of 7.15 billion USD, up 27.6% over the previous year. Most key markets recorded growth of 10 - 80%, except for the Netherlands.

To ensure sustainable growth, the Import-Export Department (Ministry of Industry and Trade) recommends that farmers, cooperatives and businesses strengthen links, improve product quality and affirm Vietnamese brands in the global market.

Source: Nong Nghiep Newspaper