Vietnam’s fruit and veg trade faces setbacks as China enforces stricter safety checks

Vietnam’s fruit and veg exports to China fell by 43% in the first two months of 2025 compared to the same period last year. The decline was due to China tightening inspections on chemical residues, particularly in durians, jackfruits, and dragon fruits, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Vietnam exported $724 million worth of fruits and vegetables in the first two months of the year, down from $970 million in 2024. China remained the top market, accounting for 46.5% of total exports, followed by the U.S. (8%) and Thailand (5%).

While exports to China declined sharply, shipments to the U.S. grew by 38%, and exports to Thailand increased by 5%. The highest growth was recorded in the UK, which saw a 57% rise in imports from Vietnam.

China’s new regulations require durian exports to include cadmium and Auramine O analysis, conducted at approved laboratories. As a result, some durian shipments were temporarily suspended, leading to an 80% drop in durian exports to China in the first 40 days of 2025.

To overcome these challenges, Vietnam’s agriculture ministry urged farmers and exporters to comply with food safety regulations and avoid banned chemicals. The ministry also emphasized the importance of strict quality control at farms, packaging, and storage facilities to maintain market access.

In 2024, Vietnam’s total fruit exports reached $7.12 billion, a 27% increase from 2023. Durians were the top product, generating $3.2 billion, with China buying 736,000 tons worth $2.94 billion.

For 2025, Vietnam is expected to harvest 1.5 million tons of durians, with peak production occurring between April and September.

source: tuoitrenews.vn

photo: vinpearl.com