China has authorized 829 additional planting area codes and 131 packaging facility codes for Vietnamese durian, as confirmed by the Plant Protection Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment. The approval follows the submission of dossiers for 1,604 planting areas and 314 packaging facilities to the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC).
With these new approvals, Việt Nam now possesses a total of 1,469 planting areas and 188 packaging facilities eligible for durian export to China. Authorities urge localities and businesses to capitalize on this potential while strictly adhering to China's plant quarantine and food safety regulations for sustained market access.
The Plant Protection Department highlights that Việt Nam has 12 labs certified for cadmium testing and eight labs for auramine O analysis, substances scrutinized by Chinese regulators. Since the bilateral durian export protocol, over 90 per cent of Việt Nam's durian output has been directed to China. Nevertheless, the Chinese market remains complex due to its fluctuating conditions and frequent changes in import regulations.
Chinese traders play a substantial role in Việt Nam's durian value chain, influencing everything from procurement to distribution. Observers note that while China upholds strict technical and food safety standards, some Vietnamese enterprises focus only on obtaining codes for planting areas and facilities, neglecting continuous compliance with protocol requirements. Instances of code trading and falsification complicate origin tracing and quality control.
China requires that all durian planting areas and packaging facilities undergo direct or online inspections before approving export codes. Tô Vạn Quang, Vice Chairman of the Việt Nam–China Business Association in Guangxi, reports that 2023 durian exports to China reached approximately US$2.2 billion, a substantial increase from 2022, accounting for 31.8 per cent of China's durian imports. He underscores the importance of maintaining strict adherence to technical processes outlined in the export protocol to sustain this growth.
While Việt Nam exports durian to over 20 markets, China remains the primary destination. However, volatility and stringent technical demands in the Chinese market pose ongoing challenges. Some producers have been accused of exporting under-ripe durians, impacting the product's reputation. To tackle these issues, amendments to Article 64 of the Law on Crop Production are proposed to establish a legal framework for code regulation.
Việt Nam aims to diversify export markets, targeting nations like the United States, Canada, and several others. The Plant Protection Department intensifies monitoring of agricultural inputs in response to stricter controls on cadmium and auramine O content. The ministry advocates for a supply chain model enhancing traceability and accountability, involving testing at various stages from production to export assessment.
The Ministry of Agriculture will co-host a national conference on sustainable durian development with the Đắk Lắk Province People's Committee. This conference will explore production, market access, and food safety systems for durian exports.
Source: VietNam News