Discussing solutions to improve the quality of durian for export.

DONG THAP - Conference in Long Tien commune discusses solutions to improve the quality of durian growing area codes, control cadmium, and strengthen consumption linkages to maintain the durian export market.

On December 12th, a conference titled "Improving the Quality of Planting Area Codes and Linking Production and Consumption of Export Durian" was held in Long Tien commune, Dong Thap province, attracting 150 farmers, businesses, scientists , and relevant authorities.

The conference aimed to share solutions for producing durian that meets export standards. Photo: Minh Đảm .

At the conference, delegates were updated on the current state of durian production, the maintenance of planting area codes (MODs), and product consumption in Long Tien commune, as well as in Dong Thap province and nationwide. Several important topics were presented, including: "Cadmium in durian-growing soil - current situation, risks, and solutions," the results of a cadmium treatment and soil improvement model; and future directions for linking durian production and export. Discussions focused on solutions to ensure suitable farming conditions, food safety, and compliance with import market requirements.

Mr. Do Quoc Khanh, Chairman of the Long Tien Commune People's Committee, said that the commune has more than 3,500 hectares of durian orchards with approximately 7,200 farming households. To date, Long Tien has 23 registered growing areas covering more than 1,900 hectares; 15 establishments have been granted codes for exporting fresh durian to China, and 15 processing facilities have received food safety certification.

According to Mr. Khanh, most growing areas and packaging facilities have complied with production processes, pest control, and cultivation logbook requirements as mandated by China. However, some households have not yet fully implemented the regulations, such as incomplete cultivation procedures, inadequate control of mealybugs and fruit flies, lack of containers for used pesticide and fertilizer packaging, and inconsistent logbook recording. Therefore, in the past, some products from growing areas have been issued violation codes requiring plant quarantine inspection.

Mr. Le Anh Trung, Chairman of the Dak Lak Durian Association, shared information about durian exports at the conference. Photo: Minh Dam .

According to Mr. Tran Thanh Tam, Head of the Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection of Dong Thap province, the province currently has 35,500 hectares of durian, of which nearly 19,000 hectares are bearing fruit. The province has been granted 350 planting area codes (equivalent to approximately 15,000 hectares) and 111 packaging facility codes. However, some packaging facility codes have been temporarily suspended or revoked, threatening the risk of losing market share.

"To sustain the durian industry, farmers must strictly adhere to cultivation procedures, proactively treat cadmium, and improve soil health. Because it's a highly efficient industry, control measures, no matter how difficult, must be implemented," Mr. Tam emphasized.

Representing the business, Mr. Vo Thanh Toan, Deputy Director of Thien Tam Agricultural Products Trading Joint Stock Company, shared: The company has 3 packaging facilities that have been granted codes by the General Administration of Customs of China and has exported 3,000 containers of durian in 2025, guided through the customs "green channel". The company wishes to cooperate in building a concentrated raw material area based on the principles of voluntariness, openness, and transparency. At the same time, they will support farmers in transferring technology; testing for cadmium and other food safety indicators before harvest; supporting the maintenance of traceability; arranging for the company's traders to purchase and prioritizing linkage contracts; and implementing electronic logs for traceability.

Mr. Toan affirmed: "We stand alongside farmers to ensure sustainable production, maintain export standards, and enhance the value of the durian industry."

Deputy Minister Hoang Trung visits a pilot model for cadmium remediation in durian export growing areas in Long Tien commune (2025). Photo: Minh Dam .

Mr. Le Anh Trung, Chairman of the Dak Lak Durian Association, shared: China is tightening control over imported durian, so getting the product into the customs "green channel" is essential and can only be achieved when all stages follow the correct procedures. He noted that the durian industry currently faces many difficulties, especially the looseness in linkages. Therefore, forming a sustainable supply chain is mandatory, and the local efforts in recent times are a positive sign.

Source: https://nongnghiepmoitruong.vn/ban-giai-phap-nang-cao-chat-luong-sau-rieng-xuat-khau-d789043.html