Vietnamese fruits struggle with higher standards

In light of the recent incident involving the destruction of two shipments of Vietnamese durians and peppers by the Japanese authorities, the vulnerability of Vietnamese agricultural exporters remains a pressing concern. This risk is particularly pronounced as importing markets tighten their standards for clean and green practices, necessitating a more proactive and comprehensive approach from the sector to keep its buyers and maintain a competitive edge. Tạ Đức Minh, the Vietnamese Embassy's Trade Counselor in Japan, said agricultural export businesses entering the market must fully comply with Japanese standards, emphasising the importance of ensuring product quality and avoiding violations. The concerns over a fast and easy mentality were highlighted by the events of October 2023, where two shipments of Vietnamese durians and peppers for Japan were compelled to be destroyed due to excessive chemical residues. The importing entity, Japan Apple LLC, suffered substantial losses, ...