HCMC – Vietnam’s frozen durian exports tripled in the first half of this year from a year earlier, driven by rising demand and improved access to the Chinese market, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment.
A total of 388 shipments of frozen durian, weighing nearly 14,300 tons, were exported during the period, the Plant Production and Protection Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment said at a press briefing on July 3.
More than 5,200 shipments of fresh durian, totaling nearly 130,000 tons, were also exported in the six-month period, reported the Vietnam News Agency.
Fresh durian exports are expected to rebound in the third quarter, with peak harvest from August to October, the department said. The outlook is supported by China’s recent approval of nearly 1,000 additional planting area and packing facility codes, along with improved technical measures and interest from markets such as South Korea, Japan and the European Union.
As of June, Vietnam had 1,396 planting areas and 188 packaging facilities certified for durian exports to China.
The department warned that export growth still depends on compliance with food safety standards. Violations by farmers or exporters could result in trade disruptions.
To strengthen oversight, a Chinese customs delegation is scheduled to inspect Vietnam’s durian export chain from July 12 to 17. The ministry has also expanded laboratory testing for cadmium and auramine O, with 24 cadmium labs and 14 auramine O labs approved by the General Administration of Customs of China.
Additional measures include drafting a circular to tighten regulations on the issuance and management of planting area and packing facility codes.
