According to the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association (Vinafruit), Vietnam’s fruit and vegetable exports in January 2025 reached USD 416 million, down 11.3% compared to December 2024 (USD 529 million) and 5.2% lowerthan the same period in January 2024 (USD 490 million).
Export Decline Due to Stricter Quality Inspections
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The primary reason for the export slowdown was that many importing countries tightened inspection standards for Vietnamese fruit quality.
Preliminary data from the General Department of Vietnam Customs shows that in 2024, Vietnam’s durian exportsbrought in USD 3.3 billion, an increase of over USD 1 billion compared to 2023 — 7.8 times higher than in 2022, the first year Vietnam officially exported durian to China under formal market access.
Import and Export Trends
In January 2025, Vietnam’s fruit and vegetable imports reached USD 285 million, down 6.6% from December 2024 (USD 304 million) but up 31% year-on-year (USD 216 million in January 2024).
This increase was mainly due to higher imports for the Lunar New Year (Tết) season, as businesses stocked up for domestic consumption.
However, exports are expected to continue declining in February 2025 due to post-holiday demand slowdown.
The estimated export turnover for February is forecast at USD 300–350 million.
China Tightens Durian Inspections
China — Vietnam’s largest fruit import market — has tightened inspections for Basic Yellow 2 (BY2) and cadmium residues in Vietnamese durian, leading to significant delays and stockpile congestion at warehouses and border gates.
Many shipments were forced to be sold domestically at “rescue prices,” while some exporters temporarily halted durian exports to China in early 2025.
To address this, Vietnamese authorities have actively worked with Chinese counterparts to resume exports.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has now announced nine testing laboratories recognized by both Vietnam and China as qualified for certification — enabling Vietnamese durian to re-enter the Chinese market soon.
Importing Countries Raise Quality Standards
Not only China, but other major markets have also raised import standards in 2025:
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The United States has banned seven pesticide residues and now requires farm and packing codes approved by the USDA.
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The European Union has increased inspection rates for pesticide residues on some fruits from 10% to 20%.
Challenges and Outlook for 2025
According to Mr. Đặng Phúc Nguyên, General Secretary of Vinafruit, if these inspection barriers are not quickly resolved, the target of USD 8 billion in fruit and vegetable exports for 2025 will be difficult to achieve.
He emphasized that to sustain growth and reach export goals, farmers and exporters must:
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Comply with new quality and inspection standards
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Strengthen supply chain linkages to improve product quality
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Invest in processed products, focusing on packaging and market-specific standards