Agricultural Exports Need to Quickly Adapt to New Market Regulations

Vietnam's agricultural exports have seen significant growth in recent years, but this success is now accompanied by increasing risks of regulatory violations in foreign markets. As international markets impose stricter technical barriers, the lack of consistent information on changing regulations is hindering businesses' ability to adapt. A meeting held by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on February 11th highlighted these challenges and addressed issues related to exports. Mr. Ngo Xuan Nam, Deputy Director of the Vietnam Sanitary and Phytosanitary Notification Authority, reported a rise in warnings from global markets, including 1,029 notifications on SPS (Sanitary and Phytosanitary) measures issued by WTO members in 2024. These measures often concern pesticide residue limits. For example, China now requires certificates for Auramine O and Cadmium testing on imported durian, while the EU has raised inspection rates for Vietnamese fruits due to pesticide violations, with rates for dragon fruit at 30% and chili and okra at 50%. To avoid these issues, Vietnamese exporters must ensure their products meet strict standards, conducting tests at accredited labs. Mr. Nguyen Quang Hieu, Deputy Director of the Plant Protection Department, emphasized that businesses expanding production while neglecting quality control are more vulnerable to regulatory violations. As a result, the agricultural sector is focusing on improving product quality in 2025, with an emphasis on complying with updated pesticide control regulations. Deputy Minister Mr. Hoang Trung stressed the need for the industry to respond more swiftly to evolving market regulations and adapt through more sustainable, green production practices.