Agricultural export shipments to the European Union from Việt Nam are experiencing delays because of issues linked to the certification procedures required for compliance with EU food safety standards.
Since early this month, exports of fruits and vegetables, including dragon fruit, chilli peppers, and okra, have been obstructed by the absence of EU-compliant food safety certificates. This has resulted in produce being held in storage for prolonged durations, incurring additional costs and risking spoilage or contract breaches due to delivery deferrals.
Businesses indicate confusion about which agency should handle certification, even with completed documents. The EU enforces stringent standards on food safety. The Tiền Phong (Vanguard) newspaper cited Huỳnh Cảnh, Chairman of the Bình Thuận Dragon Fruit Association, noting the inability to export dragon fruit due to the lack of a governmental certification body that aligns with new EU stipulations.
Since July 1, EU regulations have necessitated that Vietnamese Government authorities, rather than enterprises or third parties, issue food safety certificates. Cảnh highlighted that decentralization in Việt Nam has complicated the re-establishment of the certification process, though the change primarily affects the issuing authority.
There is a call for authorities to swiftly address the bottleneck and implement a government-led certification methodology. According to the Plant Production and Protection Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAE), existing issues stem from Circular 12/2025/TT-BNNMT, effective July 1, which transfers inspection authority from the department to provincial People's Committees, complicating local enforcement.
The Plant Production and Protection Department has initiated guidance documents, aiming to assist local authorities in processing State inspections and exporting procedures through online platforms. However, numerous local governments encounter challenges adapting to these responsibilities, resulting in shipment postponements.
Economists emphasize the urgency of resolving the procedural delays to maintain access to the lucrative European market. Without timely regulatory action, Vietnamese agricultural exporters risk missing opportunities in this promising sector.
Source: Viet Nam News
