China has granted authorization for 829 more planting area codes and 131 additional packaging facility codes for Vietnamese durian, as reported by the Vietnam Plant Protection Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment. With the latest approvals, Vietnam now has a total of 1,469 designated planting areas and 188 certified packaging facilities authorized for durian exports to China.

The development follows the submission of dossiers for 1,604 planting areas and 314 packaging facilities to China’s General Administration of Customs (GACC). Vietnam officials have called on localities and businesses to to leverage the opportunity while maintaining strict adherence to China’s plant quarantine and food safety standards to ensure long-term market access.

According to the Plant Protection Department, Vietnam has 12 certified laboratories for cadmium testing and eight for auramine O, both of which are being closely monitored by Chinese authorities.
Since the establishment of the bilateral durian export protocol, more than 90% of Vietnam’s durian production has been exported to China. However, the market remains challenging due to its unpredictability and frequent changes in import regulations.

Unlike fruits like mango, dragon fruit, and lychee, China mandates that all durian planting areas and packaging facilities in Vietnam should undergo direct or virtual inspections before receiving export approval.

Durian farming in Vietnam has seen remarkable growth in recent years, with cultivation areas increasing to nearly 180,000 hectares. The nation’s durian production has also risen sharply and is projected to exceed 1.55 million tons by 2025.
However, current regulations permit only durians from GACC-certified growing areas to be exported to China. Consequently, the newly approved codes present a valuable opportunity for Vietnam to further boost its durian exports to the Chinese market.

TRADE WORLD | Japan’s U.S. Exports Dip as Tariffs Trigger Trade Deficit