Classification
Product TypeRaw Material
Product FormShelled (raw, dried kernels)
Industry PositionPrimary Agricultural Product
Market
Shelled raw peanut (groundnut) kernels in Vietnam are supplied from multi-region cultivation and are used both domestically and for export trade. USDA FAS IPAD’s Peanut Explorer indicates production is concentrated in the Northern Central and Coastal region, with additional production in the Northern Midlands, Red River Delta, and the South East. Market access for export-oriented kernels is strongly shaped by mycotoxin (aflatoxin) risk management and buyer testing requirements. Vietnam Academy of Agricultural Sciences (VAAS) documents locally used varieties such as L14 and L27, with planting windows that support multiple seasons in northern and central-coastal ecologies.
Market RoleProducer with mixed domestic consumption and export-oriented kernel trade
Domestic RoleDomestic edible legume and oilseed crop supplying household consumption and food processing, alongside export trade
SeasonalityMultiple planting seasons are practiced; VAAS guidance for the L14 variety provides seasonal sowing windows for northern provinces and the central-coastal belt, supporting staggered supply across the year.
Risks
Food Safety HighAflatoxin contamination is a deal-breaker risk for shelled raw peanut kernels: it can trigger shipment rejection, recalls, and long-term buyer delisting. Codex CXS 193-1995 sets a maximum level for total aflatoxins in peanuts intended for further processing, and some importing markets apply stricter limits than Codex.Implement Codex CAC/RCP 55-2004-aligned controls: rapid drying/curing, moisture-safe storage, segregation of damaged kernels, and shipment-level accredited lab testing with COAs before loading.
Climate MediumHigh rainfall and humidity episodes in key producing belts can disrupt drying/curing and elevate mold and mycotoxin risk, reducing exportable grades and increasing test failures.Use covered/forced-air drying where feasible, enforce moisture targets before shelling and bagging, and schedule harvest/drying to avoid prolonged field wetness.
Logistics MediumSea freight volatility and container availability can disrupt shipment schedules; extended dwell time and moisture ingress during transit/storage increase quality loss and aflatoxin risk.Use moisture-protective packaging (liners), container inspection/drying, desiccants when appropriate, and route/booking redundancy during peak congestion periods.
Regulatory Compliance MediumDocumentation non-conformity (e.g., phytosanitary certificate format/authority naming) can cause clearance delays or rejections in destination markets; Vietnam notified a new phytosanitary certificate format effective 1 July 2025.Maintain destination-specific document checklists, verify certificate format validity for the shipment date, and ensure exporter/importer names and lot details match across documents.
Sustainability- Post-harvest drying and storage management to prevent Aspergillus growth and aflatoxin formation is a core sustainability and food-loss theme for Vietnamese peanuts.
- Plastic mulch use is referenced in Vietnamese agronomic guidance (e.g., VAAS L14 recommendations), creating an on-farm waste-management theme in some production systems.
Labor & Social- Smallholder-dominant supply chains can involve informal labor; buyers often require supplier codes of conduct covering wages, working hours, and safe working conditions in shelling/sorting operations.
- Occupational health and safety risks can include dust exposure during shelling/cleaning and manual handling injuries in drying and bagging operations.
Standards- HACCP
- ISO 22000
- FSSC 22000
- BRCGS Food Safety
FAQ
What is the single biggest compliance risk for exporting shelled raw peanuts from Vietnam?Aflatoxin contamination is the main deal-breaker risk. Codex CXS 193-1995 sets a maximum level for total aflatoxins in peanuts intended for further processing, and many buyers or importing markets may require equal or stricter limits, so drying, storage control, and pre-shipment lab testing are essential.
Which peanut varieties are officially documented in Vietnam that may appear in supply discussions?Vietnam Academy of Agricultural Sciences (VAAS) publishes official agronomy references for peanut varieties including L14 and L27, describing their agronomic type and seasonal planting windows.
When did Vietnam change the format of its phytosanitary certificate for exports?Vietnam notified that it would use new formats of the phytosanitary certificate for export and re-export from 1 July 2025 (WTO SPS notification G/SPS/N/VNM/170), aligned with IPPC certificate standards.