China Approves Codes for 829 Vietnamese Durian Orchards and 131 Packaging Facilities

According to Vietnamese media reports, the General Administration of Customs of China has recently approved codes for 829 Vietnamese durian orchards and 131 packaging facilities.

The Plant Protection Department of Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development stated that this expansion creates favorable conditions for increasing durian exports to the Chinese market. Exports are expected to regain growth momentum in the second half of 2025, and local authorities and businesses are encouraged to seize this opportunity while maintaining strict compliance with phytosanitary and food safety regulations to ensure sustainable growth.

China is Vietnam’s largest export market for durians, accounting for about 91% of total exports in 2024 with a value of nearly $3 billion. Huynh Tan Dat, head of the Plant Protection Department, highlighted China’s strategic importance, noting its decisive role in driving the medium- and long-term growth of Vietnam’s durian sector.

In the first four months of this year, Vietnam’s durian export value totaled only $130 million, marking a significant 74% decline compared with the same period of last year. This drop was largely attributable to stricter quality control measures implemented by China, including rigorous inspections for the unpermitted dye auramine O and heavy metals such as cadmium, which have impacted Vietnam’s durian exports.

Nguyen Van Thanh, a Vietnamese trader, explained that in the past merchants often sourced durians from multiple orchards and delivered them to export enterprises for selection, with little regard for orchard compliance. However, this year, uneven fruit quality has made it increasingly difficult to meet inspection standards. Consequently, he has decided to halt durian exports entirely.

Nguyen Dinh Tung, CEO of the fruit and vegetable export company Vina T&T, noted that the supply of durians meeting quality standards has been severely limited since early May, allowing the company to export only one to two containers per week. He recommended that authorities regulate fertilizers and agricultural inputs to establish a standardized durian supply chain.

Dang Phuc Nguyen, general secretary of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, echoed similar views. He proposed adopting the Thai model, which includes establishing small laboratories in growing areas to test for unpermitted substances. This approach would allow farmers to conduct preliminary tests before selling their durians, with export enterprises then sending the produce to Chinese-certified laboratories for further verification.

Henry Bui, head of Hoan Vu, a laboratory certified by Chinese authorities, pointed out that cadmium residues in durians do not originate from the soil but are primarily caused by excessive fertilizer use. He recommended strict control of illegal fertilizers and classifying soil based on pollution levels. For severely polluted soil, remediation would be necessary before cultivation. Bui also warned that auramine O can stain durian rinds without affecting the flesh and may spread through air circulation, potentially contaminating entire packaging facilities. If a facility is contaminated by auramine O, it must undergo thorough cleaning or even be rebuilt.

To fundamentally address these issues, the Plant Protection Department has coordinated with Vietnamese police to tightly regulate the production, trade and use of auramine O. In the short term, the department will focus on soil improvement measures to reduce cadmium absorption, including the use of lime or appropriate amendments to raise soil pH, applying sediment agents or heavy-metal absorbers, and planting cadmium-absorbing plants. In the long term, the priority will be to correct farmers’ improper fertilizer practices through enhanced technical training, enabling them to use fertilizers correctly, control dosages and minimize the accumulation of harmful substances.

Image: Pixabay

This article was translated from Chinese. Read the original article.