Tighter import regulations in mainland China, the U.S., and Taiwan are expected to impact Vietnam's agricultural exports in 2025. These new regulations have introduced challenges for Vietnamese businesses and farmers, particularly in the fruit and vegetable sector.
China, a major importer of Vietnamese durian, has implemented mandatory testing for O quarantine, a potentially carcinogenic chemical, in addition to cadmium inspections. This requirement emerged after the chemical was detected in Thai durian shipments in late 2024. Doan Van Ven, general director of Anh Thu Dak Lak Co., Ltd., noted that his company had to recall 170 tons of durian due to non-compliance with these standards.
Domestically, durian prices have decreased from VND230,000 (US$9.17) per kilogram in the previous off-season to around VND90,000. Thanh, a trader from the Mekong Delta, remarked, "This year has seen the most significant drop in off-season durian prices since we started exporting."
Other agricultural exports face similar hurdles. January's fruit and vegetable export revenues declined by 11.3% year-over-year to US$417 million, attributed to tighter pesticide residue regulations by the U.S., EU, and Taiwan. Reduced demand from China, due to stringent quarantine measures, has further impacted the sector. Logistical disruptions and rising transportation costs have complicated timely order fulfillment.
Despite these challenges, some see opportunities for growth. A director of a seafood processing and export firm in An Giang observed, "There's a recovering demand for seafood imports in major economies like the U.S., EU, and Japan, and emerging markets like Africa and the Middle East show considerable potential."
The Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers forecasts 2025 seafood export revenues to reach US$11 billion, supported by favorable U.S. tax policies as Chinese products face higher tariffs. Dang Phuc Nguyen, General Secretary of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, stated that the industry aims to exceed US$8 billion in turnover by boosting exports of processed products.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is implementing strategies to achieve an export target of US$64-65 billion, including promoting high-tech agriculture and expanding into new markets like the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America. Experts acknowledge the challenges but remain optimistic about the sector's potential to restructure and grow with the right policies, affirming Vietnam's global market position.
Source: VNExpress
