At a conference on implementing protocols for grapefruit and fresh lemons in Ho Chi Minh City on the morning of 14/5, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Hoang Trung expressed concerns about testing capacity and the effectiveness of growing area code management. These are two critical bottlenecks in the current agricultural export management system.

According to Hoang Trung, difficulties in licensing testing laboratories, coupled with inspection overloads and warnings about Cadmium residue, are putting immense pressure on agricultural exports, especially durian. Recently, durian prices have dropped to 25,000-35,000 dong per kg, causing significant hardship for farmers and businesses.

He noted that a major concern is the protracted delays in approving testing laboratories. Some applications for new testing labs have been pending for up to six months, requiring passage through multiple agencies such as the Department of Agriculture and Environment, the Department of Science and Technology, and the Department of Natural Resources and Environment.

"Businesses with financial capacity and technical expertise cannot proceed because of lengthy procedures, with applications being passed between many departments," he stated.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Hoang Trung speaks with businesses at the conference on 14/5 in Ho Chi Minh City. *Photo: Thi Ha*

Beyond slow approvals, the operational quality of some testing laboratories is also questionable. Deputy Minister Hoang Trung pointed out that some labs provide results that do not accurately reflect reality, directly impacting the reputation of Vietnamese agricultural products as import markets increasingly tighten technical standards.

In the Mekong Delta, the country's largest fruit-producing region, there are no stable analytical laboratories currently operating after several facilities in Can Tho were temporarily suspended for compliance reviews. This situation creates challenges for businesses, particularly for perishable goods like durian.

From a business perspective, Ngo Tuong Vy, CEO of Chanh Thu Group, stated that her company is ready to invest in testing laboratories to proactively control residue levels and quality throughout the production chain. However, the current approval process is lengthy, requiring passage through many departments, leaving businesses uncertain about when they will receive licenses.

According to Vy, businesses are conducting internal checks in raw material areas to assess risk levels and proactively screen purchasing areas that meet export standards.

In addition to testing hurdles, businesses also face difficulties with the procedures for issuing growing area codes. Vy explained that applications at the commune level are often delayed due to a lack of specialized staff, and each locality applies different procedures, complicating operations for inter-provincial businesses.

Vy also warned of the risk of "virtual" growing area codes emerging without substantive oversight. According to businesses, China's recent market opening for grapefruit will only be effective if testing and code management are strengthened.

From an association standpoint, Dang Phuc Nguyen, Secretary General of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, emphasized the need for a unified procedure for issuing and managing growing area codes. This would prevent each locality from implementing different methods that hinder businesses.

Nguyen Dinh Tung, CEO of Vina T&T, echoed this sentiment, suggesting that growing area codes should be considered a "passport" or "land use rights certificate" for farmers. This would demonstrate their production capacity and eligibility to participate in the export market.

Local authorities should proactively issue codes to cooperatives and farmers from the outset, rather than waiting for partnerships with businesses. When raw material areas meet standards and have clear codes, businesses will actively seek to purchase from them, fostering a more transparent and sustainable production foundation.

He warned that without a swift and substantive expansion of growing area codes, the goal of 10 billion USD in fruit and vegetable exports by 2026 faces many risks, including the potential for counterfeit codes or purely formalistic code issuance.

Based on these realities, the Deputy Minister called for stricter, more substantive management of growing area codes, packaging facilities, and testing laboratories. This comes as the government and Prime Minister have held urgent meetings with 34 localities regarding existing issues in agricultural exports. Without promptly tightening inspection and growing area code management, Vietnamese agricultural products will continue to face warning risks, leading to market losses and price volatility, as seen recently.

He also highlighted several shortcomings, such as the limited area granted growing area codes compared to export potential, fraudulent management of codes, and the use of unauthorized chemicals like Cadmium and Auramine O in durian exports despite repeated warnings.

Thi Ha