Durian under strict inspection, fruit and vegetable exports to China down nearly half

Fruit and vegetable exports to China in the first two months of this year fell by nearly half compared to the same period last year, as the country tightened checks on chemical residues in durian, jackfruit, and dragon fruit.

Durian packaging facility in the West - Photo: T. VY

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment , the export value of fruits and vegetables in February 2025 is estimated at 350 million USD, bringing the total export value of fruits and vegetables in the first two months of 2025 to 724 million USD, while the same period last year reached 970 million USD.

Vietnam's fruit and vegetable products are mainly exported to the Chinese market, with the export value accounting for 46.5%. The next two largest fruit and vegetable export markets are the US and Thailand, with proportions of 8% and 5% respectively.

Compared to the same period last year, the export value of fruits and vegetables to the Chinese market decreased by 43%, while the US market increased by 38% and Thailand increased by 5%.

Among the 15 largest export markets, the export value of fruits and vegetables increased the most in the UK market with an increase of 57%, and decreased the most in the Chinese market with a decrease of 43%.

Fruit and vegetable exports to China have decreased sharply, mainly because since the beginning of this year, the country has tightened inspections of chemical residues in imported fruits from all countries, including durian - Vietnam's main export product.

Accordingly, all durian shipments exported to China must have results of cadmium residue and yellow O analysis, performed at laboratories recognized by this country.

Therefore, durian exports to China had to be temporarily suspended to adapt to new regulations.

In the first 40 days of this year, about 3,500 tons of durian were exported to China, down 80% compared to the same period last year.

Although the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (now the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment) introduced many solutions right after China applied new measures, the situation of durian exports to this market is still difficult.

Leaders of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment recommend that people and durian exporting businesses absolutely do not use banned chemicals or let the maximum allowable residue level exceed the threshold prescribed by the importing country.

At the same time, there needs to be food safety control programs in gardens, growing areas, packaging, processing and preservation facilities to facilitate exports in the coming time.

In 2024, the export turnover of fruits and vegetables will reach 7.12 billion USD, an increase of 27% compared to 2023. Of which, durian is the main product, accounting for nearly 50% of the total turnover of fruits and vegetables, reaching 3.2 billion USD and mainly exported to China (736,000 tons with a value of 2.94 billion USD).

In 2025, Vietnam is expected to harvest about 1.5 million tons of durian, concentrated from April to September.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/sau-rieng-bi-kiem-tra-nghiem-ngat-xuat-khau-rau-qua-sang-trung-quoc-giam-gan-mot-nua-20250305131307928.htm