Fruit, vegetable exports decline for 3rd straight month

Exports of fruit and vegetables fell by 10.5% year-on-year in March to an estimated US$421 million, marking the third consecutive month of decline.

They had decreased by 5.2% to $416 million in January and 6.5% to $303 million in February.

The main reason was the decline in durian shipments, a major export item, the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association said.

Dang Phuc Nguyen, the association’s general secretary, said since the start of the year China, Vietnam’s largest export market, has been amending import regulations and now requires all durian shipments to undergo testing for cadmium and auramine O residues at accredited laboratories.

Cadmium is a toxic heavy metal and auramine O is an industrial dye, and both are strictly controlled due to their potential cancer risks.

The new requirement is resulting in longer and more complicated customs clearance procedures and difficulties for exporters, Nguyen said.

Some of them have halted shipments to China just to complete the procedures, he said. If the situation persists, this year’s exports could be less than last year’s, he added.

Exports were worth $7.15 billion last year, with durian accounting for $3.4 billion, or nearly 50%.

The target for this year is $8 billion, which is achievable if the inspection issues are soon resolved.