There is a fundamental solution for durian export.

The overload of testing centers for O and Cadmium gold indicators has caused many shipments to be congested, requiring a fundamental solution to develop a sustainable durian chain.

Dak Lak is aiming for sustainable development of durian growing areas and industry, ensuring quality - Photo: TAM AN

On November 3, the leader of the Dak Lak Provincial People's Committee said that the local government has directed specialized units to advise on the construction of an on-site O and Cadmium gold testing center, and to develop standard production processes... to avoid the situation of overloading, causing thousands of durian containers to be congested like recently.

Will "identify" each durian tree

Talking to us, Mr. Tran Van Thang - Director of Krong Pak Green Agriculture Cooperative - said that the unit has deployed electronic stamps for each durian to trace the origin and increase product reputation. However, the synchronous implementation still has many difficulties.

"Unlike large enterprises that only support qualified growers, cooperatives must accompany all members. When durian prices increase, enterprises can cancel contracts, but cooperatives must still ensure consumption," Mr. Thang said, suggesting specific support policies for cooperatives to operate more effectively in a sustainable production and consumption chain.

Ms. Ngo Thi Minh Trinh - Secretary of the Party Committee of Ea Knuec commune, a locality with 5,153 hectares, of which 2,530 hectares have produced products with an estimated output of 55,660 tons/year and 9 export packaging facilities - said that this locality has piloted attaching QR codes to each durian tree in the standard growing area, each tree is "identified" separately, associated with the name of the garden owner, the growing area code and the packaging facility.

"We are aiming to 'identify' each tree and each durian fruit. When scanning the QR code, consumers can see the entire process of cultivation, harvesting, use of fertilizers, pesticides... This helps to make production transparent and enhance the durian brand of the locality and the province," said Ms. Trinh.

Regarding the management of growing area codes and packaging facilities, according to Ms. Trinh, businesses must be honest and transparent throughout the entire process, because "just a few fraudulent acts or code swaps can cause partners to temporarily suspend imports, affecting the reputation of the entire industry". In particular, it is necessary to decentralize more power to localities in inspection and supervision work to proactively detect and prevent fraud.

According to Ms. Trinh, the locality is proposing to establish an on-site durian inspection center to inspect and evaluate quality, helping people and businesses to inspect, certify, and sell online while still ensuring export standards.

"If there is a center located in the raw material area, people will save time, costs, and limit quality loss due to transportation or waiting for inspection far away," Ms. Trinh said, adding that for areas with large areas and output, an on-site inspection center is an urgent requirement, not only to serve export but also to help standardize production processes and improve agricultural product quality management capacity.

Must control O and Cadmium right in the garden

Speaking to Tuoi Tre, experts and local leaders affirmed that testing for O-gold and Cadmium is an important requirement for export. However, if we want durians to be "clean" of banned substances, we must control them right from the garden. The chairman of a business association (name withheld) said the underlying cause lies in the lack of strict control over the quality of fertilizers.

According to this person, many types of imported fertilizers contain heavy metals such as Cadmium, which, if the residue exceeds the threshold, will affect health and the environment. In fact, Cadmium is often found in some phosphate ores used to produce fertilizers or additives that do not meet standards. However, due to the lack of a strict inspection system from the import stage, many types of fertilizers that exceed the safety threshold are still circulating, accumulating in soil and crops.

"Therefore, it is necessary to control from the input, build a system to monitor cadmium content in fertilizers, encourage domestic organic fertilizer production and organize technical training for farmers to reduce risks," he suggested.

Mr. Le Anh Trung - Chairman of Dak Lak Durian Association - said that the fundamental solution to prevent durian from being congested is to ensure the accuracy and honesty of testing laboratories, and at the same time prevent Cadmium and O-yellow residues from the root.

"The Ministry is coordinating with the police to trace the origin of the O-yellow in durian before exporting. A technical report on the cause, remedial measures and management of these two indicators has also been sent to China to consider waiving the requirement for additional testing," said Mr. Trung.

According to Mr. Trung, the Dak Lak Durian Association is coordinating with the Provincial People's Committee and the Department of Agriculture and Environment to implement the 2026 plan to build a sustainable durian production and consumption chain. It is expected that at the end of November 2025, the province will organize a thematic conference with the participation of management agencies, businesses and scientists to discuss solutions to complete the value chain, improve testing capacity and traceability.

"After the emergency treatment phase, we need a modern testing system with enough capacity to produce millions of tons per year, reducing dependence on a few centers," Mr. Trung emphasized.

Support businesses to consume durian

According to Ms. Dang Thi Thuy - Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Dak Lak province, the whole province has nearly 45,000 hectares of durian, of which more than 26,000 hectares have been harvested. The output in 2025 is estimated to reach 390,000 tons, an increase of about 30,000 tons compared to 2024.

By the end of October, the harvest had basically ended, with only about 10% remaining (30,000 - 40,000 tons), concentrated in the communes of Ea Toh, Dliê Ya, Ea Tân, and Ea Bá. The purchase price at the garden is currently maintained at 60,000 - 70,000 VND/kg, and growers still have high profits.

"When some testing labs temporarily stopped, causing businesses to slow down, the department promptly reported to the Provincial People's Committee and the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment for direction on how to handle the situation. Up to now, purchasing and exporting activities have been stable, with no more congestion," said Ms. Thuy.

Dak Lak currently has 269 growing area codes and 40 packaging facilities licensed to officially export to China. This agency is coordinating with specialized departments and the Dak Lak Durian Association to support businesses in consuming the remaining output at the end of the season, ensuring the reputation of local agricultural products.

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Source: https://tuoitre.vn/da-co-giai-phap-can-co-cho-xuat-khau-sau-rieng-20251103232449533.htm