In just the second half of April 2026, 41 SPS notifications from WTO members were issued, many of which directly impact Vietnam’s key agricultural exports, ranging from durian to rice, seafood, and spices.

The Vietnam SPS Office recently announced a list of 41 notifications regarding sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures issued by WTO members in the latter half of April 2026. This figure is notable not only for its scale but also because at least five of Vietnam's major export markets simultaneously raised their standards, with most regulations already in effect.

Elevated internal standards

The most significant is Ukraine's Decision No. 3898 (effective April 14, 2026), which places fresh and chilled durian originating from Vietnam under enhanced control for pesticide residues. This is a "targeted" regulation, applied specifically to goods from Vietnam.

The concern lies deeply in the testing methodology. Ukraine utilizes multi-residue analysis via mass spectrometry chromatography (GC-MS and LC-MS). This technology is capable of detecting residues at extremely low thresholds. Cooperatives and enterprises exporting to the Eastern European market should view this as an early warning signal rather than an isolated case.

In China, a list of 21 invasive species subject to border control officially took effect on May 1, 2026, covering groups ranging from insects and fish to amphibians. This indicates a trend toward strengthening biological controls to limit the risks of invasive species.

Meanwhile, the United States continuously adjusts maximum residue limits (MRLs) for pesticides across several commodity groups, including beans, corn, rice, and tropical fruits. Specifically, the active ingredient methoxyfenozide on the 15-22F rice group is set at 30 ppm—a threshold that businesses must immediately review against their current cultivation processes.

Taiwan (China) has implemented adjustments on an even larger scale, simultaneously amending 186 combinations of active ingredients and agricultural products involving 39 pesticides. The scope of these adjustments spans broadly from spices and herbs to tea, coffee, and fruit. This marks one of the market's largest MRL updates in recent years.

Furthermore, South Korea has shifted to a risk-based inspection mechanism instead of a fixed one, with inspection frequencies reaching up to 20 times for products with a history of violations. This means businesses must not only meet standards once but maintain long-term stability.

Increasing competitive pressure

Beyond tightening imports, some nations are raising their own internal standards. Thailand has drafted GMP standards for frozen durian, requiring a consistent temperature of -18°C throughout the storage chain and emphasizing the role of leadership in building a food safety culture.

When regional neighbors proactively raise their standards, the competitive pressure on Vietnamese agricultural products intensifies, particularly in key export markets.

The European Union continues to update food control regulations, adding requirements for certain high-risk product groups. Notably, the United Kingdom has significantly raised MRLs for certain spices and edible flowers to 20 mg/kg, while maintaining low levels for many other food groups. On a positive note, Vietnam remains on the list of countries permitted to export certain animal-origin products to the EU.

However, for growing sectors like seafood and processed agricultural goods, enterprises must proactively meet new requirements for traceability, disease control, and safety standards before implementation deadlines.

The 41 notifications within 15 days are not an unusual phenomenon but rather reflect the accelerating pace of international standard-setting, broader regulatory scopes, and stricter technical requirements.

Significantly, with approximately 97% of Vietnamese agricultural enterprises being small and medium-sized and lacking specialized international trade legal departments, the gap between "issued regulations" and "timely business adaptation" remains a structural weakness.

In this context, the requirement is not just to update information but to build an effective early warning system, helping producers and businesses adjust proactively before risks become reality.

Source: Vnbusiness