However, the agricultural sector is facing numerous challenges as several markets have recently introduced changes in regulations for agricultural exports. These new requirements demand that localities, producers, and businesses promptly update and comply with the regulations.
According to Vietnam Sanitary and Phyto-sanitary Notification Authority and Enquiry Point (Vietnam SPS Office), in the last month of 2024, there were 128 draft and effective notifications issued regarding food safety and animal and plant quarantine (SPS) measures by World Trade Organisation (WTO) members. Among them, 98 were draft notifications for public consultation, while 30 had officially taken effect.
Many major markets have new regulations
The Vietnam SPS Office stated that the US market introduced regulations to ban the use of products containing chlorpyrifos, proposed removing maximum residue level (MRL) regulations for chlorpyrifos in certain products, recommended amendments to food additive regulations, and established tolerance limits for the pesticide cyazofamid.
For the European Union (EU) market, the organisation has introduced Regulation No. 2019/627, which sets measures for the official control of animal-derived food products. Additionally, it has revised the maximum residue levels (MRLs) for chlorpropham, fuberidazole, ipconazole, methoxyfenozide, S-metolachlor, triflusulfuron, dimoxystrobin, ethephon, and propamocarb in or on certain products. The EU has also proposed changes to MRLs for several agricultural chemicals in food. Meanwhile, Australia and New Zealand have proposed amendments to Schedule 20 of the Australia-New Zealand Food Standards Code, modifications to import health standards for the storage of plant-based products intended for human consumption, and revisions to MRLs for agricultural compounds.
The Republic of Korea (RoK) market has issued a notification regarding the proposed specifications for acrylamide in food.
The United Kingdom has announced amendments to the 2022 regulations on official controls, including plant health measures and inspection frequencies, as well as legal adjustments to ensure the effective implementation of animal and animal product controls at the border. Additionally, the UK has revised MRLs for propamocarb, fenazaquin, sulfoxaflor, and isoflucypram. The Japanese market has issued a notification regarding amendments to the Ministerial Ordinance on the Specifications and Standards of Feeds and Feed Additives.
The Indonesian market has issued a notification regarding the authority for guiding and controlling the issuance of quality and safety assurance certificates for seafood products in Indonesia. Additionally, it has released a draft regulation from the Indonesian Food and Drug Authority concerning food packaging and a draft regulation from the National Food Agency on maximum residue limits (MRLs) for pesticides in food.
According to Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien, the US, China, Japan, and the European Union (EU) have always been Vietnam’s top agricultural export markets. Additionally, potential markets such as the UK, the RoK, and Australia have made significant contributions, helping agricultural, forestry, and fishery exports reach a record-high value of 62.5 billion USD, with a trade surplus of 17.9 billion USD in 2024.
These markets also frequently update regulations on maximum residue levels (MRLs) for pesticides, food safety standards, and inspection frequencies for imported agricultural products. Therefore, organisations and individuals with exports to these markets must proactively stay informed and make necessary adjustments to comply with the new requirements.
Transition to green production
Vietnam’s Trade Counselor in Sweden, Nguyen Thi Hoang Thuy, stated that the EU’s new regulations require Vietnamese businesses to focus on improving product quality and standards, ensuring compliance with food safety requirements and sustainability certifications. Specifically, in the Swedish market, sustainable consumption is becoming increasingly dominant.
Sweden is the sixth-largest importer of organic products in Europe and relies on imports for more than 50% of its organic fruits and vegetables, with bananas being a key product. This is a high-potential market, but it also requires exporters to meet international standards such as GlobalGAP and Fairtrade, and strict food safety requirements.
Accordingly, Vietnamese businesses should strongly develop organic products and establish connections with major importers such as Dole/Everfresh, ICA, and Ewerman through trade exhibitions like Fruit Logistica and Fruit Attraction. Additionally, Vietnam needs to enhance its supply chain sustainability, including adopting eco-friendly transportation methods, optimising packaging and distribution to reduce emissions, and creating a competitive advantage for agricultural products. With consumers increasingly prioritising environmental factors, they tend to choose products that demonstrate a commitment to ecosystem protection.
Meanwhile, according to the Import-Export Department under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, many of Vietnam's billion-dollar agricultural exports are increasingly entering markets such as the US, the EU, and China. Therefore, compliance with food safety regulations is a top priority to maintain market share. For example, coffee and cashew nuts have seen rising demand in the US, EU, China, and the UK in 2024, with Vietnam’s market share in these countries' total imports remaining high.
For fruits and vegetables, Vietnam’s export turnover in 2024 saw significant growth across key markets including the US (up 39.8%), the RoK (up 39.6%), Japan (up 15.3%), Taiwan (China) up 10.9%, and Australia (up 25.9%).
However, the fruit and vegetable sector still faces challenges, particularly supply chain limitations. Key issues include chemical contamination risks and pesticide residue violations due to small-scale and fragmented production in many areas, leading to inconsistent quality and the lack of market information, making it difficult for producers to comply with import regulations and standards.
Therefore, to sustain growth in 2025, businesses must enhance their capacity to access and effectively adapt to the evolving import regulations in key markets.
