Durian exports are forecast to reach 3.5 billion USD by 2025 - Photo: VGP/Do Huong
This is the first time a case of regional code fraud has been criminally prosecuted, creating a big impact on public opinion and sending a strong message about Vietnam's determination to clean up the export chain and protect its billion-dollar industry.
The strong intervention of the authorities shows the determination to protect the reputation of Vietnamese goods and meet the increasingly strict requirements of the import market, especially China - which has repeatedly issued warnings about quality and code management. It should be emphasized that China is not tightening its grip on Vietnam alone. Even Thailand - the world's largest durian exporter - has had a series of growing area codes suspended. The tightening is a natural reaction of a large market that focuses on safety and traceability.
According to Mr. Dang Phuc Nguyen - General Secretary of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, durian exports can absolutely reach 3.5 billion USD by 2025 if the transparency foundation is strengthened. The prosecutions are just the first step, because what the durian industry needs is not to handle violations, but a mechanism to prevent violations from happening.
Currently, the biggest limitation of the export chain is that supervision does not cover the entire process. The certification unit only evaluates the samples sent in, while businesses can "mix" goods from outside. At that time, all inspection regulations become meaningless. This is the reason why violations can exist for a long time without being detected.
To end this situation, the responsibility of each actor in the chain needs to be raised: farmers must keep electronic diaries and comply with farming processes; businesses must absolutely not circumvent the law; certification units need to improve their capacity and ethics; management agencies need to have a system of periodic inspections and unified data.
The Dak Lak Durian Association recently proposed three fundamental solutions for a modern production and export chain: (1) establishing model growing areas and electronic logbooks; (2) building an independent laboratory to randomly collect samples, creating a "final checkpoint"; (3) tracing the origin by QR code to each durian. This is not only a requirement of the Chinese market but also a passport for Vietnamese durian to expand to the US, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Taiwan, etc. - markets that are growing strongly.
Billion-dollar market for durian and growing demand
According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment , the export turnover of fruits and vegetables in the first 10 months of 2025 reached more than 7 billion USD, an increase of 15.1% over the same period in 2024. Durian alone exceeded the record of 3.2 billion USD for the whole year of 2024 as early as October, with an increase of 12.3% over the same period. In 2026, exports are expected to continue to increase strongly as the global economy recovers.
Along with growth, China – the largest market – is constantly updating new regulations. Most recently, the General Administration of Customs of China announced Decree 280 (replacing Order 248), effective from June 1, 2026, with stricter regulations on registration of imported food production facilities. In the context of this market increasingly tightening standards, only products produced from "clean" growing area codes and "clean" processes can maintain their position.
On August 4, 2025, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment issued Decision No. 3015/QD-BNNMT on "Food safety control process for fresh durian for export". This process standardizes the entire process from cultivation - preservation - packaging to export; at the same time, clearly defines the responsibilities of each facility participating in the chain.
Accordingly, the product must meet the following requirements: Originating from a growing area with a code and listed in the recognized list of the import market; Labeling in accordance with Decree 43/2017/ND-CP and the specific requirements of each market; Meeting the heavy metal residue standards according to QCVN 8-2:2011/BYT and pesticide residue standards according to Circular 50/2016/TT-BYT.
The provincial authority will be responsible for inspecting, monitoring food safety, assessing facilities and certifying shipments when required by the import market. In cases where no state inspection is required, the enterprise must still ensure full certification procedures according to the regulations of the importing partner or as required by the importer.
According to the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, durian exports will begin to accelerate strongly from April 2025, but growth will only be sustainable when the growing area code system is transparent and there are no "dark spots". The recent drastic measures are a warning to the entire industry: in a market where traceability is a mandatory standard, any fraud must be paid for.
To maintain the billion-dollar market and build a national brand for durian, Vietnam must start from the most basic things: clean growing area code - clean process - clean responsibility. This is not only a requirement of China, but also a condition for Vietnamese durian to reach out to the world.
Do Huong
Source: https://baochinhphu.vn/san-xuat-chat-luong-di-doi-voi-minh-bach-thi-truong-sau-rieng-102251126170205656.htm
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