Market
Fresh chicory (Cichorium spp.), traded under HS 070529 (chicory excluding witloof) and HS 070521 (witloof chicory), is a niche leafy vegetable segment in Vietnam tied to cool-climate vegetable supply chains. UN Comtrade data accessed via WITS indicates Vietnam exported HS 070529 chicory (excl. witloof) in 2022 with trade value about US$1.67 million (about 913.6 tonnes), with exports concentrated in the partner group “Other Asia, nes”. Vietnam also recorded imports of HS 070521 witloof chicory in 2022 (e.g., from the European Union/Netherlands), indicating a small premium import channel alongside domestic/regionally supplied product. For export shipments of fresh plant products, phytosanitary certification and document-format compliance are a key operational requirement under Vietnam’s NPPO system.
Market RoleMinor producer and exporter (HS 070529) with niche specialty imports (HS 070521); primarily a domestic consumption market for leafy vegetables
Domestic RoleNiche leafy salad/culinary vegetable within Vietnam’s fresh vegetable market, supplied via cool-climate vegetable production and modern retail/foodservice channels where available
Risks
Climate HighSevere rainfall and flooding events affecting Lam Dong’s Da Lat-area vegetable belt can abruptly damage production and disrupt supply continuity and quality for fresh leafy vegetables, including chicory, creating acute shipment shortfalls and volatility.Dual-source from multiple micro-regions/suppliers, maintain flexible harvest windows and contingency volumes, and align forward programs to seasonal rainfall risk periods with agreed substitution specs.
Food Safety MediumExport shipments of fresh leafy vegetables face elevated border-rejection/recall risk in high-standard markets when pesticide residues or other hazards are detected; the EU RASFF system is specifically designed to rapidly communicate such food-chain risks and can trigger border actions and reputational damage.Implement pre-harvest MRL programs with accredited lab testing, maintain spray-record verification, and align buyer specifications to destination-market MRLs and audit expectations.
Regulatory Compliance MediumPhytosanitary documentation non-conformity (including use of an incorrect certificate format or authority details around Vietnam’s 1 July 2025 format transition) can cause customs/plant-health delays or rejection in destination markets for fresh plant products.Confirm destination NPPO acceptance rules, validate certificate template/version per shipment date, and perform document pre-checks (including consignee/commodity/HS alignment) before dispatch.
Traceability MediumMislabeling and brand impersonation of “Da Lat” origin produce can undermine buyer trust and raise fraud concerns for premium vegetables; chicory marketed as highland/Da Lat origin may be exposed to reputational and compliance risk if origin cannot be substantiated.Use verifiable origin documentation (farm codes, packhouse records), tamper-evident labeling where practical, and buyer-auditable batch/lot traceability linking farm → pack → shipment.
Sustainability- Greenhouse/high-tech vegetable production systems in Lam Dong (Da Lat area) can raise buyer scrutiny on input management (fertilizers, pesticides) and responsible water use, especially for export-oriented supply.
FAQ
Does Vietnam export fresh chicory?Yes. UN Comtrade data accessed via WITS shows Vietnam exported chicory (HS 070529, excluding witloof) in 2022 with trade value about US$1.67 million, with most exports reported to the partner group “Other Asia, nes” and smaller shipments to Japan, Singapore, the United States, and Malaysia.
Does Vietnam import witloof (Belgian endive) chicory?Yes, at small scale. UN Comtrade data accessed via WITS shows witloof chicory (HS 070521) exports to Vietnam in 2022, including shipments reported from the European Union/Netherlands.
What is a common plant-health document needed for exporting fresh chicory from Vietnam?A phytosanitary certificate is commonly required for export shipments of fresh plant products when requested by the importing country. Vietnam notified a new phytosanitary certificate format effective 1 July 2025, aligned with IPPC guidance (ISPM 12).