Urgent Need for Coordination with Chinese Customs

Minister of Agriculture and Environment Do Duc Duy has highlighted the critical need for Vietnam to enhance its coordination with Chinese customs to tackle the technical barriers causing a significant drop in durian exports to China.

Root Causes of the Export Decline

The ministry points to the absence of clear legal frameworks, inadequate quarantine procedures, and subpar quality management as primary reasons for the sharp decline. Furthermore, the slow issuance of codes for growing areas and packing facilities fails to meet China's strict standards.

Strategies to Revive Durian Exports

Duy emphasizes the acceleration of code issuance and adherence to quarantine procedures as immediate steps. For long-term sustainability, he advocates for an overhaul of the legal system governing agricultural exports and the adoption of higher technical standards throughout the supply chain.

Exploring New Avenues for Durian Products

To diversify the market, Duy encourages the development of value-added durian products, such as frozen durian, aiming to reduce dependence on fresh durian exports and enhance overall value.

Impact on Vietnam's Agricultural Sector

Vietnam's fruit and vegetable exports have seen a 14% year-on-year decrease, amounting to $1.62 billion in the first four months of the year. Domestically, durian prices have plummeted to a third of last year's rates, signaling a pressing need for industry restructuring.