Durian growers require solutions for China's import restrictions

Photo: tinnhanhchungkhoan.vn

According to the Plant Protection Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, China approved an additional 829 planting area codes and 131 packaging facility codes for Vietnamese durian in May.

This follows the submission of dossiers for 1,604 planting areas and 314 packaging facilities to the General Administration of Customs of China.

Vietnam now has 1,469 planting areas and 188 packaging facilities eligible to export durian to China. Authorities have urged localities and businesses to seize this opportunity while ensuring strict compliance with China’s plant quarantine and food safety regulations for sustainable market access.

The move by China is expected to support export turnover of this agricultural product, amid a decline in durian export figures.

According to data from Vietnam Customs, in the first four months of 2025, durian export turnover stood at $183 million, a 61 per cent decrease compared to the same period last year.

The Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association said the primary reason was the detection of excessive cadmium residue in durian shipments exported to China. This issue has caused direct economic losses and hit the reputation and future of Vietnamese durian in the international market.

Speaking at the workshop, Nguyen Quang Hieu, deputy director of the Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, stated, "Since March 2024, upon receiving the first notification from China regarding cadmium issues, the department has conducted extensive investigations. The results have revealed that some durian cultivation areas had high cadmium residues."

"The department identified the main causes of cadmium contamination in soil, including soil characteristics, combined with the fact that many cultivation areas are not given adequate rest periods, leading to cadmium accumulation. A subjective factor is the habit of farmers using fertilisers exceeding recommended levels," Hieu added.

Nguyen Thi Thanh Thuc, chairwoman and general director of Auto Agri Software Technology JSC, said, "The underperformance of durian exports this year is not surprising as cadmium and Auramine O are just two among thousands of technical criteria that importing markets impose on fruit from Vietnam. We were warned about this risk, and proactive preparation should be crucial."

"The Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection is responsible for issuing plant quarantine certificates and managing planting area codes. However, the current oversight of authorised planting area codes remains lax, leading to improper use and management of these codes. In some cases, a single planting area code has been used for multiple locations, complicating quality and origin control," added Thuc.

According to Dang Phuc Nguyen, general secretary of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association,"One practical solution is for businesses to proactively screen durian at the production site before sending it to the border or exporting it to other markets. This approach not only helps reduce logistics costs and avoid losses when having to turn back vehicles, but also contributes to improving the reliability of the entire supply chain."

"When the process is controlled from the beginning, customs clearance time can also be shortened, helping to clear the flow of goods. The establishment of a 'green channel' for agricultural products by the two countries will be an important step to put Vietnamese durian on a stable and long-term export trajectory," Nguyen said.

Inspiring signs for agricultural exports The number of shipments of Vietnamese agricultural products to markets around the world since the start of the Lunar New Year heralds a bonanza year for the sector's exports.

Vietnam aims for $3.5 billion in durian exports in 2024 Vietnam is aiming to export $3.5 billion worth of durian in 2024, as the fruit continues to dominate the country's overseas fruit and vegetable shipments.

Thailand increases spending on Vietnamese fruit and vegetables Thailand spent $97 million on Vietnamese fruit and vegetables in the first six months of the year, doubling the figure from the same period in 2023.

Frozen durian cleared for official export to China On August 19, 2024, Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and China’s General Administration of Customs signed a Protocol on Inspection, Plant Quarantine, and Food Safety for Frozen Durian Exports from Vietnam to China.