Vietnam Tightens durian Export Standards: Opportunities for Thai Businesses
Vietnam is implementing stricter food safety controls for durian exports, a move poised to reshape the industry and create new avenues for Thai entrepreneurs. This shift comes as Vietnam aims to overcome past quality control issues and solidify its position in the global durian market.New Regulations & Quality Focus
Recent announcements from Vietnam Customs indicate a significant surge in vegetable and fruit exports in June 2025, reaching $807 million – a 30% increase from May and 20% higher than the same period in 2024. Durian accounts for a substantial portion of this, valued at approximately $360 million, a 70% monthly increase. However, despite this growth, the first half of 2025 saw an overall 37% decrease in durian export value compared to 2024, highlighting ongoing market volatility and the critical need for improved quality control.
The new regulations emphasize rigorous quality checks, specifically focusing on heavy metal residue levels, ensuring thay remain within limits set by the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Health. Compliance with pesticide specifications outlined by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Growth, alongside any additional importer-specific requirements, is also mandatory. Crucially,any processing,labeling,or transportation required to meet these standards must be conducted within certified facilities.
Impact & Implications
This announcement regarding food safety for live durian is a pivotal step towards establishing a robust and enduring control system. Vietnam hopes this will enhance the competitiveness of its agricultural products on the international stage. However, the increased stringency presents challenges for some Vietnamese producers, possibly leading to higher operational costs or difficulties adapting to the new requirements.
Opportunities for Thai Entrepreneurs
This situation unlocks significant opportunities for Thai businesses, particularly those specializing in food safety and quality assurance. thai companies with expertise in certifications like GAP, GMP, HACCP, and ISO 22000 are well-positioned to expand their services into the Vietnamese market.
Specifically, Thai entrepreneurs can:
Provide training & Consulting: offer training programs and consulting services to Vietnamese durian farms and processing facilities to help them meet the new standards.
establish Internal Audit Systems: Assist in developing and implementing internal audit systems to ensure ongoing compliance.
OEM Services: offer Original Equipment Manufacturing (OEM) services, taking over processing and transportation to guarantee adherence to quality and safety regulations, thereby adding value and credibility to exported products.
Innovation & Technology Collaboration: Partner with the Thai government and relevant agencies to develop innovative technologies that support food safety and traceability – increasingly critically important factors in the global market.The implementation of these stricter measures may create a gap in the Vietnamese market, allowing Thai businesses to provide crucial support in quality inspection and processing. By leveraging their expertise, Thai entrepreneurs can not only generate additional revenue but also strengthen Thailand’s role within the regional durian supply chain.
This proactive approach will be key to capitalizing on the evolving landscape of the Vietnamese durian export market and fostering a more sustainable and competitive agricultural sector in the region.