VINAGRI News - After a record-breaking year in 2024, Vietnam’s durian exports are facing headwinds as China tightens its food safety inspection regime. The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment has ordered all GACC-certified laboratories to operate at full capacity to clear the testing backlog and pave the way toward the ambitious USD 5 billion export target for 2025.
Summary:
> Vietnam’s durian exports reached USD 3.3 billion in 2024, but fell over 60% in early 2025 as China tightened inspections.
> The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment ordered all 24 GACC-certified labs to operate at full capacity to clear testing delays.
> Processed and frozen durian exports rose 60% in Q1 2025, generating USD 31 million.
> Vietnam currently has 829 planting area codes and 131 packing facilities approved by China.
> If current bottlenecks are resolved, durian exports could hit USD 5 billion in 2025.
Vietnam’s durian industry stands at a crucial crossroads, with strong potential but mounting challenges. Ensuring the effective operation of laboratories recognized by China’s General Administration of Customs (GACC) is now seen as the key to maintaining access to the Chinese market - currently the largest buyer of Vietnamese durians.
Tightened testing rules to safeguard Vietnam’s export reputation
Following an exceptional surge in 2024, when exports hit USD 3.3 billion, durian has become the “star performer” of Vietnam’s fruit sector, accounting for nearly 46% of total fruit and vegetable export value. China alone absorbed 97% of Vietnam’s durian shipments, according to data from the Government Portal.
However, the situation shifted in early 2025. In the first four months, Vietnam’s durian exports plunged more than 60% year-on-year to about USD 183 million, due largely to stricter food safety and traceability requirements imposed by China. Beijing has intensified testing for heavy metal residues and synthetic dyes, especially Cadmium and Acid Yellow 36, on imported fruits.
Another bottleneck has come from limited domestic testing capacity. Delays in obtaining certified lab results have slowed customs clearance, with many exporters reporting spoiled fruit and financial losses due to prolonged waiting times.
To address the issue, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Hoàng Trung on October 24 instructed all GACC-certified laboratories to maximize operations and ensure smooth testing and verification for export shipments.
“Testing must be conducted rigorously, precisely, and swiftly,” he stressed. “Even a minor mistake could damage the reputation of Vietnamese durian in international markets.”
According to the Department of Quality, Processing and Market Development, Vietnam currently has 24 GACC-certified laboratories approved to test for Cadmium and Acid Yellow 36 residues, with a combined capacity of around 3,200 samples per day. However, several labs are temporarily offline for maintenance or awaiting re-evaluation, creating local bottlenecks.
Rising opportunities in processed durian and market diversification
While fresh durian exports face hurdles, processed and frozen durian shipments are showing promising growth. In Q1 2025, Vietnam exported around 8,700 tons of frozen durian, up over 60% year-on-year, valued at more than USD 31 million.
Experts view this as a strategic path forward - reducing dependence on the Chinese market while extending product shelf life. Meanwhile, demand for durian is rapidly rising in new destinations such as the United States, Japan, South Korea, and the UAE, offering fresh opportunities for exporters.
Vietnam has so far obtained 829 planting area codes and 131 packing facilities approved by Chinese authorities. The Ministry is working to expand this list and secure additional certified testing labs to ease the current congestion.
If key challenges related to testing, traceability, and product quality are resolved, industry analysts forecast that Vietnam’s durian export value could rebound and reach USD 5 billion in 2025, solidifying the country’s position as a major global durian supplier.
Deputy Minister Hoàng Trung reaffirmed:
“Testing units must run at full capacity, ensuring accuracy and timely results. The Ministry will closely coordinate with local authorities and enterprises to prevent testing backlogs.”
The Ministry also urged greater training for cooperatives and exporters on proper fertilizer use to reduce heavy metal residues, and emphasized the need for green production practices aligned with the sustainability standards of major import markets.
NPK/ Vinagri News
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