On May 8, Minister of Agriculture and Environment Do Duc Duy chaired a meeting to listen to a report on the current status of management of growing area codes, traceability and solutions to increase durian export activities.
According to estimated figures, Vietnam's durian export turnover in the first 4 months of 2025 will reach about 120-130 million USD, with an estimated export volume of 35,000 tons.
According to the report, in the first months of 2025, durian exports to China recorded a serious decrease, reaching only about 20% of the plan. The consequences not only affect the general target of the whole industry, but also reduce domestic durian prices, only by a quarter compared to export prices.
The identified causes are not beyond the existing points pointed out such as: lack of legal basis and clear quarantine procedures; slow state management of food quality and safety.
The issuance of growing area codes, approval of packaging facilities and testing room systems have not yet caught up with the strict requirements from Chinese customers, a large consumer market but also full of risks if not well prepared.
In that situation, the Ministry said it would closely coordinate with the Chinese Customs Department to handle problems related to technical factors that are significantly hindering export flows. At the same time, speed up the progress of granting growing area codes, approving packaging facilities and laboratories for export.
The plant quarantine process for durian will be urgently issued, as a basis for re-evaluating export capacity in 2025 and adjusting the plan to suit reality.
In the long term, the Minister suggested focusing on perfecting the legal system related to agricultural export management, with more specific regulations on growing area codes, packaging facilities, and testing, appraisal, etc. Along with that is the development and standardization of a system of technical standards from production, harvesting, processing to export. The Ministry also identified restructuring the durian industry towards sustainability as an urgent requirement.
It is necessary to encourage the development of deep-processed product lines, especially frozen durian, to increase added value and reduce dependence on the fresh market.
Minister Do Duc Duy directed the immediate implementation of the following key tasks: Develop and issue a circular guiding the process and procedures for granting growing area codes and packaging facilities; Establish a program to control quality and food safety for durian for export. At the same time, it is necessary to organize thematic conferences with businesses and key localities to agree on action plans.
