High pesticide violations in Vietnamese fruits raise EU export concerns

The findings come from a report on monitoring and control of pesticide residues in food placed on the market, published in February 2026 by the French General Directorate for Food, based on inspections conducted in 2024.

This report is part of the EU’s coordinated control program, with results used by the European Commission (EC) to assess risks and determine regulatory measures.

Vietnamese passion fruit emerged as the most concerning product.

Of 47 samples tested, 15 exceeded the EU MRLs, representing a 32-percent violation rate.

Some samples also contained omethoate, a chemical considered potentially harmful to consumers.

Meanwhile, Vietnamese dragon fruit showed a lower violation rate of 11 percent, with one of nine samples exceeding the limits.

This item is already listed in Annex I of EU Regulation 2019/1793, subjecting it to a 50-percent inspection rate at EU borders.

Continued violations could make it difficult for the product to see a reduction in inspection frequency in the future.

Under EU rules, the EC reviews the list of high-risk products every six months.

With a 32-percent violation rate, Vietnamese passion fruit faces a real risk of being added to the EU list of products subject to enhanced controls or stricter import requirements.

Being listed in Annex I would subject shipments to more frequent border inspections, potentially delaying customs clearance.

Listing in Annex II would require exporters to provide test results and food safety certificates before they send products to the EU.

Such measures would increase logistics, testing, and storage costs, raise the risk of delivery delays, and potentially harm exporters’ reputations.

The Vietnamese Trade Office in France stressed that this is an EU-wide technical barrier, not limited to the French market.

To maintain market access, exporters, cooperatives, and producers must urgently review the entire production chain, from cultivation to harvesting, processing, and packaging.

Strict control of pesticide use and full compliance with EU MRL regulations are essential.

Regulatory agencies and industry associations are urged to strengthen monitoring, issue early warnings, and provide technical support, especially as the EU plans further reviews in the second half of 2026.

In 2025, exports are estimated to have exceeded US$1 billion, representing a large share of the country’s total fruit and vegetable exports.

China remains the main market, while the EU accounts for only a small portion but imposes very high-quality standards.

Passion fruit exports are smaller in scale but have been rising rapidly in recent years.

Exports of passion fruit and related products total hundreds of millions of dollars each year, with the EU emerging as a potential market thanks to stable demand and high added value.