Since January 2025, China has officially required all durian export shipments from Vietnam to include inspection certificates for Auramine O (a highly carcinogenic industrial dye) and Cadmium (a toxic heavy metal). This new regulation has caused several Vietnamese durian shipments to be rejected and returned, leading to a significant price drop of more than 60% compared to the same period last year, even during the off-season when supply is low.
Export Requires Certification for Auramine O
Table of Contents
According to the latest update, as of late February 2025, Vietnam has six testing centers officially recognized by Chinese authorities to conduct Auramine O tests on durian.
Each lab can analyze approximately 100 samples per day, which currently meets the needs of farmers and exporters.
However, experts warn that without urgent measures to control Cadmium and Auramine O residues, Vietnam’s durian exports could face serious disruptions when the main harvest season begins (April–September 2025).
Auramine O (chemical name: Diarylmethane) is a synthetic industrial dye used in coloring materials and animal feed — but strictly prohibited in agricultural production, food processing, and additives.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies Auramine O as a Group 3 carcinogen, meaning it has a high potential to cause cancer. It ranks 5th among the top 116 most carcinogenic substances worldwide.
Compliance with Food Safety and Trade Regulations
In today’s global trade environment, food safety and environmental standards are key determinants of export success. Any violation or non-compliance — such as the case of the EU’s yellow card warning for illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing — can seriously damage the reputation and export value of Vietnamese agricultural products.
Therefore, compliance with China’s new inspection requirements for Auramine O and Cadmium is not optional but mandatory. Failure to provide valid test certificates means exporters are not permitted to ship durians to China.
Enterprises that attempt to export without certification risk trade warnings or import suspension from China, which could severely impact the entire industry’s credibility and economic performance.
Toward Clean and Responsible Agriculture
The “durian case” underscores an urgent need for Vietnamese farmers to shift toward cleaner, safer, and certified agricultural practices.
Authorities must also tighten controls on chemicals and antibiotics, ensuring domestic testing procedures meet international standards. Only then can Vietnamese agricultural products strengthen their position and reliability in global markets.
Official Reminder
The Ministry of Agriculture and relevant agencies strictly warn that no durian shipment will be allowed for export to China without an Auramine O inspection certificate.
Non-compliance could result in export suspension, financial losses, and reputational damage to Vietnam’s agricultural sector.