Vietnam’s Durian Exports to China Plunge Amid Tightened Inspections

Statistics from Vietnam Customs show that Vietnam’s fruit and vegetable exports totaled $687 million in the first two months of this year, down 15.7% compared with last year. Exports to China fell by 39% during the same period — the largest drop on record. Other key markets, including the United Arab Emirates, the Netherlands, Russia and Laos, saw declines ranging from 5% to 28%.

In sharp contrast, Vietnam’s fruit and vegetable exports to the United States and Japan have surged. In the first two months of this year, exports to the United States reached $65 million, up 66% from last year, while exports to Japan increased by 23% to $33 million.

Durians have become Vietnam’s top fruit and vegetable export, overtaking even rice. In 2024, Vietnam’s total durian exports reached $3.3 billion, accounting for 45.8% of the country’s annual fruit and vegetable export value. This year, the country’s agricultural sector expects fruit and vegetable exports to reach $8 billion, but disruptions to durian exports to China pose a major challenge to achieving this goal.

According to Dang Phuc Nguyen, general secretary of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, durian exports to China have been severely affected by new regulations. China has tightened its inspections for the unpermitted dye auramine O, leading to longer customs clearance times and increasing the risk of spoilage. The United States has also banned seven active pesticide ingredients and introduced new regulations requiring plantation and packing codes issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Many Vietnamese companies are now cautious about exporting to China, preferring to sell durians domestically at lower prices. Nguyen Dinh Tung, general manager of Vina T&T Group, said that the company had hoped to resume exports at the end of February, but with strict regulations still in place, the timeline currently remains unclear.

Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Environment is introducing measures to strengthen quality control and ensure compliance with international phytosanitary standards. At the same time, the government is taking strict action against violations and working to maintain and improve the international reputation of Vietnamese agricultural products.

Image: Unsplash

This article was based on a Chinese article. Read the original article.