Improving testing quality to serve durian export

(Chinhphu.vn) - The Vietnamese durian industry is at a time when it has both great potential and many challenges. The fact that testing laboratories are recognized by GACC as operating well is a key step to reopen the "door" to the Chinese market - the largest market today.

It is forecasted that durian export turnover in 2025 may recover to reach the 5 billion USD mark - Photo: VGP/Do Huong

Tighten testing process, protect reputation of Vietnamese goods

After the boom period in 2024 with a turnover of 3.3 billion USD, durian has become the "star" of the Vietnamese fruit industry, accounting for nearly 46% of the total export value of vegetables and fruits nationwide. Of which, the Chinese market accounts for 97% of the total durian export volume.

However, entering 2025, this industry faces a big shock. In the first 4 months of the year, Vietnam's durian export value only reached about 183 million USD, down more than 60% compared to the same period last year. The main reason comes from China tightening food safety inspections, tracing origins and increasing heavy metal residue testing.

Another part comes from the unstable domestic testing capacity, leading to long waiting times for results, slowing down delivery progress. Many businesses have reported that waiting for test results causes durians to ripen beyond their shelf life, forcing them to be sold domestically at low prices.

Faced with strong fluctuations in the durian market, on October 24, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Hoang Trung requested that testing laboratories recognized by the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) as qualified must operate at full capacity to ensure smooth export activities.

Under the direction of Deputy Minister Hoang Trung, the Department of Quality, Processing and Market Development needs to review all testing centers recognized by GACC; clearly identify the units that are still operating, the units that have temporarily stopped, as well as the actual testing capacity with special indicators such as Cadmium and Gold O.

The Deputy Minister emphasized that testing centers must seriously, accurately and quickly carry out the entire process, from sampling, receiving, analyzing to returning results. "Testing must avoid errors as much as possible, because even a small error can affect the reputation of Vietnamese durian products in the international market," said Mr. Hoang Trung.

According to Mr. Pham Van Duy, Deputy Director of the Department of Quality, Processing and Market Development, Vietnam currently has 24 testing laboratories accredited by GACC to test for Cadmium and Yellow O residues, with a total processing capacity of about 3,200 samples/day. In theory, this number is enough to meet actual needs. However, many testing laboratories are temporarily closed due to maintenance, repair or waiting for re-accreditation, causing the system to be partially "clogged".

China’s requirement for strict control of Cadmium (a heavy metal that accumulates in soil) and Yellow O (a dye banned from use in agricultural products) has put great pressure on the entire export chain. If domestic testing procedures are not guaranteed, businesses may have their goods returned or customs clearance suspended, causing great damage to the entire industry.

Despite difficulties with fresh products, Vietnam's exports of processed and frozen durian are increasing strongly. In the first quarter of 2025, Vietnam exported about 8,700 tons of frozen durian, an increase of more than 60% compared to the same period in 2024, reaching a value of more than 31 million USD.

Experts say this is a feasible direction to help the industry reduce its dependence on the Chinese market and extend the time of product consumption. Along with that, the demand for durian in new markets such as the US, Japan, Korea, UAE, etc. is increasing rapidly, opening up opportunities to expand exports for Vietnam.

According to statistics from the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, Vietnam has so far been approved by China for 829 growing area codes and 131 durian packing facilities. The Ministry is also continuing to work with China to expand growing areas and promote the recognition of additional qualified testing laboratories to reduce the load on the current system.

If the "bottlenecks" in testing, traceability and quality are removed, many experts predict that durian export turnover in 2025 can recover to reach the 5 billion USD mark, continuing to affirm Vietnam's position on the world durian map.

According to Deputy Minister Hoang Trung, to take advantage of this opportunity, testing units need to "get into gear" immediately, operate at full capacity, improve accuracy and speed of results. The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment requires the Department of Quality, Processing and Market Development to coordinate closely with localities and businesses to ensure that testing samples are processed promptly to avoid backlog.

In addition, the Ministry also requires strengthening training and guidance for businesses, cooperatives, and gardeners on quality control processes, reasonable use of fertilizers to avoid cadmium accumulation, and compliance with regulations on growing area codes and packaging facilities.

At the same time, the agricultural sector is also accelerating the transition to a green production model, reducing emissions, increasing sustainable export value, in line with consumption trends and import requirements of major markets.

From the story of durian, it is clear that testing capacity is not only a technical issue but also a "strategic key" that determines the success or failure of agricultural exports. When laboratories operate effectively and quality control processes are strict, Vietnamese products will be competitive enough to meet the high standards of demanding markets.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment's request for the testing system to operate at full capacity is not only to resolve immediate difficulties, but also to build a safe - transparent - sustainable agricultural value chain, so that Vietnamese durian can not only stand firm in China but also...

Do Huong

Source: https://baochinhphu.vn/nang-cao-chat-luong-kiem-nghiem-de-phuc-vu-xuat-khau-sau-rieng-102251026154447949.htm