Agricultural exports in Vietnam face increasingly strict technical barriers, necessitating proactive adaptation in areas such as growing, processing, and logistics. According to the Việt Nam Fruits and Vegetables Association (Vinafruit), vegetable and fruit export turnover last month was estimated at US$496 million, with a yearly decline of 17.8% in the first five months, totaling $2.1 billion.
China remains Vietnam's largest import market for vegetables and fruits, yet it experienced the deepest turnover decline, reaching $777 million, down 33% in the year's first four months. Đặng Phúc Nguyên, Vinafruit's general secretary, attributed this mainly to underwhelming durian exports.
Ngô Xuân Nam from the Việt Nam Sanitary and Phytosanitary Notification Authority and Enquiry Point (SPS Vietnam) highlighted new standards enforced by the Chinese market, including higher chemical residue levels and required labels and codes. Similarly, Indonesia introduced a new quarantine model, while Japan, the EU, and Arab nations amended pesticide residue regulations.
Đại Đoàn Kết reported Nam stating, "In the past, Vietnamese enterprises often prioritised exporting to markets that were considered more lenient, with fewer technical barriers." He emphasized the risk of exclusion from supply chains if enterprises fail to comply with international regulations.
The SPS Vietnam has cooperated with the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment's Digital Conversion Department to launch the National SPS Information Portal. This platform aims to update WTO member measures and guide declarations, providing resources for enterprises to stay informed of SPS requirements.
Vietnam exports to 200 countries, requiring enterprises to establish integrated chains to meet each market's SPS requirements. Logistics, a vital component, faces challenges in standardised cold storage and traceability.
Đặng Hồng Nhung from the Ministry of Industry and Trade noted Vietnam's 69 logistics centers, a tenfold increase since 2007-2012. However, uneven distribution and lack of regional connectivity limit their efficiency, especially in key production areas like the Mekong Delta.
This scenario mandates fundamental changes within the sector, suggested Lê Quốc Thành, director of the National Agricultural Extension Centre. It involves value chain production, quality control from cultivation to processing, and active public-private collaboration.
Nam emphasized that Vietnamese agricultural products need professional chain-based production to maintain market presence.
Source: Vietnam News