Chinese delegation highly values Vietnamese durians after on-site inspection

Huynh Tan Dat, head of the Plant Production and Protection Department, said at a meeting with acting Minister of Agriculture and Environment Tran Duc Thang on Tuesday that a team from the China Customs conducted a comprehensive inspection into durian-growing areas, packaging facilities, and laboratories in Vietnam in late June.

The Chinese delegation rated the inspection results, commending Vietnam's management practices and compliance with previously agreed-upon standards.

The Chinese officials pledged to report these favorable findings to its higher authorities, reinforcing its support for uninterrupted durian exports from now until the end of 2025, Dat said.

Vietnam’s durian exports, particularly frozen durians, have seen a sharp rise in recent months, he stated.

“We are entering the main harvest season for durians in the Central Highlands region. The department is working closely with the Chinese side to expedite export procedures,” Dat said.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Tran Thanh Nam affirmed the positive outlook, noting that Vietnam has successfully addressed safety concerns, including contamination from yellow O coloring agents and cadmium.

“With these issues resolved, durian exports are expected to regain momentum through the year-end,” he said.

Agro-forestry-fishery exports on track

Nam predicted that the nation could achieve its 2025 agro-forestry-fishery export target of US$65 billion, especially given that the export value of the sector in the first half of the year surpassed $33 billion, up 15 percent year on year.

However, he also cautioned that if the United States imposes new tariffs, Vietnam must be ready to pivot certain exports to alternative markets, such as Europe and the Middle East, which still offer substantial growth potential.

Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Hoang Trung reported strong performance in coffee exports, with revenue exceeding $5 billion worth of just one million metric tons, half of Vietnam's annual coffee production.

He expressed confidence that the coffee export would surpass its $7 billion goal.

Regarding rice, Trung noted that exports are expected to recover in the coming months, supported by steady domestic production and a rise in newly signed export contracts.

Call to streamline procedures, expand markets

Concluding the meeting, acting Minister Thang commended the agricultural sector for maintaining its growth trajectory in the first seven months of the year.

He urged all departments to intensify their efforts over the remaining five months to achieve the ministry's two core objectives, including a minimum growth rate of four percent and agro-forestry-fishery exports reaching at least $65 billion.

Thang also called for enhanced disease prevention and production optimization to ensure maximum output for both domestic and export markets.

He emphasized the need to further simplify administrative procedures, particularly those involving import and export documentation.

Thang also urged continued efforts to expand international markets, targeting high-potential regions such as Europe, the Middle East, and countries involved in free trade agreements.