The European Union has seen a considerable surge in the import of Vietnamese fruits and vegetables, with the export turnover rising from US$200 million in 2022 to US$399 million in 2023. This makes the EU the third largest consumer of these Vietnamese products. Businesses are eager to leverage the tariff benefits of the EU-Vietnam free trade agreement (EVFTA), projecting a growth of 20% or more in the coming years, as per Dang Phuc Nguyen, the general secretary of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association (Vinafruit).
"This is a quite important market for Vietnam, because if any business can export to this market, it will easily be able to penetrate many other markets provided it invests more in technology, preservation techniques, and product quality," said the Vinafruit leader.
Despite the potential, the EU has recently scrutinized five Vietnamese agricultural and food products due to quality concerns. This includes durian, which is now monitored at EU border gates at a frequency of 10%. Furthermore, the EU has introduced stricter regulations concerning the maximum residue levels (MRL) for Oxamyl on various agricultural products, effective from May 2024. Export businesses are advised to adapt to these regulations promptly.
"This is the world’s most demanding market for quality which focuses on food hygiene and safety and product standards, and products that are allowed to enter this market must meet European standards and international certificates, such as GlobalGAP standards," added Phuc Nguyen.
Source: vietnamnet.vn