Vietnam firm seeks PM’s intervention after cadmium-tainted durians rejected by China

The company attributed the issue to the use of DAP (diammonium phosphate) fertilizer imported from South Korea by local durian growers.

This has resulted in the return of thousands of containers of Vietnamese durians by Chinese authorities after tests revealed excessive cadmium residues — a toxic heavy metal harmful to human health.

Vinacam believes the contamination is linked to DAP fertilizer produced by South Korea’s Namhae Chemical Corporation.

Vietnam currently imports DAP fertilizer from several countries, including China, Australia, Russia, and South Korea.

However, tests have shown that the South Korean product contains cadmium levels exceeding permitted limits.

According to major fertilizer importers, cadmium content in South Korean DAP can reach up to 28 milligrams per kilogram — more than double the allowable threshold of 12 milligrams.

As a toxic heavy metal, cadmium is a human carcinogen that can accumulate over time in the human body with detrimental effects on the kidneys, lungs, and bones, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

Though the agricultural sector has been aware of cadmium-related risks since 2020, regulatory responses have been inadequate, Vinacam warned.

The company first raised the issue in July 2023 through a petition sent to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (now the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment), the Ministry of Industry and Trade, and other relevant agencies. 

However, no resolution has been reached.

Amid concerns that other agricultural exports may also be at risk – as they may be cultivated in the same areas using the same fertilizer – Vinacam has called on the government to instruct relevant agencies to take coordinated action.

The company also expressed its willingness to cooperate with authorities and provide all relevant documents and records upon request.

Industry experts note that cadmium, while present in some fertilizers, is also found naturally in many soil types, with concentrations varying by region.