The Việt Nam Fruit and Vegetable Association (Vinafruit) has identified a concerning trend of illegal replication and misuse of planting area and packaging facility codes specifically for durians. This issue, characterized by unauthorized contracts, counterfeit stamps, and forged signatures, is primarily aimed at circumventing regulatory inspections for exports to China.
Vinafruit has expressed its disapproval of these activities, citing the detrimental effects on the reputation of Việt Nam's durian industry and the trust of both Chinese and global consumers. The association has also pointed out the adverse consequences for legitimate producers and exporters. "Importing countries may tighten inspections on Vietnamese durians, and there is a risk that China could revoke granted codes due to quality violations," stated Đặng Phúc Nguyên, General Secretary of Vinafruit.
In response, Vinafruit is advocating for increased monitoring and inspections of packaging and exporting facilities. It has called on authorities to implement strict penalties for violators and to publicly disclose the names of offending businesses. The association also recommends bolstering cooperation with importing countries' authorities to effectively address commercial fraud.
Despite these hurdles, Việt Nam's durian exports have seen remarkable growth, reaching US$3.13 billion by the end of November, a 44 per cent increase from the previous year. With China as the largest market for these exports, accounting for more than 90 per cent of the volume and valued at $2.8 billion, the sector has played a significant role in pushing Việt Nam's fruit and vegetable export revenue beyond US$7.2 billion this year.
Source: Viet Nam News