Standardizing the technical standards system for the durian industry

(Chinhphu.vn) - According to the assessment of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, standardizing production, improving quality and diversifying products will be the key to maintaining the Chinese market for durian products and reaching further in the international market.

Completing the legal framework for managing agricultural product exports, with specific regulations on growing area codes, packaging facilities, and testing standards for durian - Photo: VGP/Do Huong

The cause of the export decline has been warned.

Vietnamese durian has had a golden age, especially since it was licensed to officially export to China in 2022. As a key market, China not only boosts export turnover but also brings in added value more than twice that of domestic consumption. However, the first months of 2025 recorded durian exports to China reaching only about 20% of the plan, equivalent to a turnover of about 120-130 million USD and an estimated volume of 35,000 tons. This caused domestic durian prices to plummet, to only a quarter of the export price, seriously affecting farmers and businesses.

The reasons for the decline are not beyond the issues previously warned by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment : lack of clear legal basis, lax quarantine procedures, and quality and food safety management that do not meet China's strict requirements. In particular, the issuance of growing area codes, approval of packaging facilities, and testing laboratory systems are still slow, causing many shipments to be returned or stuck at the border. In addition, China has for the first time included additives in the quarantine protocol, tightening inspection of 100% of shipments to detect banned substances such as cadmium and yellow O, increasing costs and customs clearance time.

Competition is also intensifying as other countries enter the Chinese market. Laos is a prime example, with the Attapeu provincial government expanding its durian plantations to hundreds of hectares, aiming for formal export. The entry of Laos, along with Indonesia, Cambodia and Malaysia – which have established their position with the Musang King variety – is putting great pressure on Vietnamese durian. Meanwhile, Thailand, despite losing market share due to the yellow O scandal, remains a formidable competitor thanks to its superior production and logistics capabilities. The diversification of supply sources from these countries forces Vietnam to improve quality and standardize production if it wants to maintain its position.

Today (May 8), Minister of Agriculture and Environment Do Duc Duy chaired a meeting to assess the current situation of durian exports in the context of the Chinese market - the main consumer market - showing signs of serious decline in the first 4 months of 2025. Deputy Minister Hoang Trung and leaders of specialized units attended the meeting, aiming to find synchronous solutions to overcome immediate difficulties and build a sustainable development foundation for this industry. Durian, once considered the "king of fruits" in Vietnam's agricultural exports, is facing great challenges, requiring drastic actions to protect its position on the world map.

According to Minister Do Duc Duy, in the short term, the Ministry will coordinate with the Chinese Customs Department to resolve technical problems, speed up the issuance of growing area codes, approve packaging facilities, and complete export laboratories. The plant quarantine process for durian will be urgently issued, serving as a basis for re-evaluating export capacity in 2025 and adjusting plans accordingly. This is a necessary step to restore trust from Chinese partners.

In the long term, the focus is on perfecting the legal framework for agricultural export management, with specific regulations on growing area codes, packaging facilities, and testing standards. The Ministry also emphasizes restructuring the durian industry towards sustainability, encouraging the development of deeply processed products such as frozen durian - products with high added value and reducing dependence on the fresh market. Building a system of technical standards from production to export is considered an urgent requirement for sustainable competition.

To realize the solutions, the Minister proposed issuing a circular guiding the process of granting codes for growing areas and packaging facilities, and establishing a quality control and food safety program for exported durian. At the same time, a thematic conference with businesses and key localities such as Tien Giang, Dak Lak, and Can Tho will be held to agree on an action plan. In addition, the Ministry will prepare documents and programs to report to the leaders of the Party, State, and Government before the working trip to China, in order to promote comprehensive cooperation in the fields of agriculture and environment.

The Minister emphasized that maintaining the durian market cannot rely on rapid growth but requires a solid legal foundation, synchronous technical standards, and a transparent management system. Specialized agencies are required to make more efforts, accompanying businesses and localities to protect the market, increase value, and build the Vietnamese durian brand in the international arena. This is not only a battle to maintain the market but also a journey to affirm the quality and reputation of Vietnamese agricultural products.

Do Huong

Source: https://baochinhphu.vn/chuan-hoa-he-thong-tieu-chuan-ky-thuat-cho-nganh-hang-sau-rieng-102250508145141384.htm