If residues of banned substances are detected in exported durian, they most likely arise during intermediary stages. All violation records have been transferred to authorities for investigation, as even a single non-compliant shipment could jeopardize access to the entire export market.

huyn tan dat
Huynh Tan Dat, Director of the Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection. Photo: Bao Thang/NNMT

On the morning of May 22, Huynh Tan Dat, Director of the Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, emphasized that durian is one of Vietnam's most valuable agricultural exports, contributing significantly to rural livelihoods.

The nation currently cultivates nearly 180,000 hectares of durian, yielding around 1.55 million tons annually. While Vietnam exports both fresh and frozen durians to 20 countries and territories, China remains the dominant market.

From now through 2030, the industry’s main goal is not acreage expansion, but strengthening reliability and compliance.

The recent approval by China’s General Administration of Customs (GACC) of 829 new durian growing area codes and 131 packing facility codes is a major win for Vietnam’s billion-dollar durian sector, according to Mr. Dat.

This success reflects proactive, coordinated efforts between the Ministry and GACC and underscores Vietnam's commitment to strict compliance with phytosanitary and food safety regulations, including new controls on cadmium and the banned yellow O dye.

This move not only expands Vietnam’s durian export capacity but also arrives at the ideal time - peak harvest season runs from July through November. With more approved growing codes, farmers and businesses can better plan harvests and exports, avoiding customs congestion and price instability.

Additionally, it helps stabilize contractual relationships between farmers and enterprises, reducing disputes over supply and pricing.

However, Dat urged strict compliance with technical standards from importers to protect the reputation and quality of Vietnamese durian in global markets. “One non-compliant shipment can risk the entire market,” he warned.

Cadmium and yellow O under the spotlight

sau rieng
Vietnamese durian exports to China are experiencing a sharp decline. Photo: MK

Since early 2025, Chinese customs has ramped up inspections at border checkpoints, with some durian shipments facing additional scrutiny or being turned away. According to Dat, this is part of routine quality control as outlined in the bilateral durian export protocol.

This protocol requires three key compliance areas: food safety standards, phytosanitary rules, and product traceability. Every link in the durian supply chain must adhere to these principles.

Regarding recent reports of excessive cadmium residues in Vietnamese durian, the Department promptly deployed inspection teams to key growing regions. Initial findings indicate that the highest risks are in parts of the southwestern Mekong Delta. In those areas, natural soil composition includes elevated cadmium levels. Combined with low soil pH, this leads to poor nutrient absorption and greater uptake of heavy metals by plants.

Moreover, many new durian-growing areas lack experience, and farmers tend to overuse chemical fertilizers, inadvertently increasing contamination risks. The Department has issued guidelines for good agricultural practices to reduce heavy metal residues.

As for yellow O, a banned dye in food products, Dat confirmed that inspectors found no evidence of its use in cultivation. If detected, it's most likely introduced during post-harvest stages by intermediaries.

All suspected cases have been referred to relevant authorities for full investigation. “If we don’t handle this transparently and thoroughly, one bad batch can destroy the whole market,” Dat stressed.

Building capacity and moving upstream in control efforts

Vietnam currently has 12 cadmium-testing labs and 8 yellow O testing labs certified by China, with more awaiting approval. A nationwide soil nutrient mapping project for durian is also underway, aimed at preventing misuse and forming part of a national database on growing areas - covering acreage, yield, and cultivation practices - to support traceability and transparent management.

Dat emphasized a shift from end-point inspection to upstream control. With fresh fruit exports under seasonal pressure, the sector is reinforcing quarantine teams at both border crossings and major growing and packing sites. This helps expedite customs clearance and address problems at the source.

“Complying with the export protocol is non-negotiable. It’s a challenge, but we must meet the standards across every stage of the supply chain. Once full compliance is achieved, inspection frequency will drop and we’ll earn green-lane export privileges,” Dat concluded.

Tam An