In the global arena, pesticide residue is no longer a secondary criterion but has become a "transit pass." As standards from the EU, China, and Japan continue to tighten, many cooperatives (HTXs) are finding it difficult to secure contracts with enterprises despite having sufficient output.

According to the SPS Vietnam Office, in 2025 alone, major markets issued numerous warnings against exported Vietnamese agricultural products. Specifically, the EU issued 120 warnings regarding active ingredients; China issued 90 warnings concerning heavy metals and growing area codes; and the Japan-South Korea region issued approximately 45 warnings regarding mold and herbicides.

Market barriers

These figures demonstrate that pesticide residues and heavy metals are major issues affecting the export stage. When goods fail to meet these conditions, it signifies a failure to guarantee quality.

As a unit specializing in the underwriting and export of agricultural products, particularly local specialties, Mr. Nguyen Thai Thanh Hien from OCOP Global Joint Stock Company stated that for exports to proceed smoothly or for long-term consumption contracts to be formed between cooperatives and enterprises, the produced agricultural goods must satisfy criteria regarding antibiotic and pesticide residues.

In the EU market, the approach has recently shifted toward hazard-based assessment. Active ingredients such as Mancozeb and Glyphosate for goods exported to this market have been restricted to a near-zero residue limit of 0.01 mg/kg. This makes it difficult for products like durian, dragon fruit, and chili from cooperatives to establish a presence in this market.

"Failing to meet standards for heavy metal and antibiotic residues not only makes it difficult to export a shipment but also leads to the revocation of growing area codes and the suspension of packaging facility codes," Mr. Nguyen Thai Thanh Hien emphasized.

According to experts, in the export of agricultural products—especially fresh fruits and vegetables—time is not on the seller's side. During transit to other countries, produce continues to ripen, spoil, wither, or even rot.

Importers are indifferent to the efforts of the exporter; they only care about the final result. Upon arrival, products are still subject to quality standard inspections, including freshness and the presence of pesticide residues or chemicals.

Regarding durian, while China still has a large demand from Vietnam, its import method has changed. China no longer emphasizes volume but focuses on screening this commodity according to standards.

Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Thach, CEO of Smart Link Logistics, noted that over the past two years, inspections for heavy metal residues, particularly cadmium, have been implemented more strictly by China on a per-shipment basis. Documentation must also strictly match physical inspections rather than serving as the sole standard for customs clearance.

Consequently, if production does not follow the correct protocols and information regarding growing area codes or heavy metal test results is inconsistent, the shipment will be delayed or face great difficulty in clearing customs.

A race for the sellers

The issue of antibiotic and pesticide residues is now more than just a standard; it is a barrier directly affecting the brand and the expansion capacity of farmers, cooperatives, and enterprises.

To meet these standards during production, farmers and cooperatives must fulfill a series of rigorous criteria.

Moving away from experience-based or intuitive production, Mr. Doan Tuan Anh, Executive Director of the Wao Foods brand, stated that his unit's agricultural products—especially pomelos—must pass stringent inspections covering 1,150 pesticide criteria and two heavy metal criteria. Achieving this requires years of chemical-free cultivation and significant investments of time and cost for testing.

Mr. Huynh Thanh Le, Director of Trinh Loi Agricultural Cooperative (Can Tho), explained that cadmium residue in durian results from inadequate conditions regarding soil, water sources, pesticides, and fertilizers during cultivation.

Cadmium cannot be treated overnight; it requires a prolonged, synchronized control process. Consequently, even within the same durian field, some areas may meet export standards while others do not.

Dr. Le Huu Quang, Deputy Director in charge of the Farmer Training Center at the School of Public Policy and Rural Development, argued that international integration requires agricultural products to meet strict standards for traceability, pesticide residues, and heavy metals. Without sustainable production organization and quality control, products are easily excluded from the value chain.

Conversely, meeting high standards helps farmers and cooperatives increase product value, access demanding markets, and receive better prices.

Today, global trade agreements and technical barriers impose rigorous requirements. Only when farmers and cooperatives comply with production processes and laws can their products access international markets. A minor violation of a single regulation can result in an entire shipment being returned, causing heavy losses.

To successfully grow and export, a tightly linked system between farmers, cooperatives, enterprises, and regulators is needed to operate and maintain strict control, ensuring stability and a sustainable mindset.

Source: Vnbusiness