The Department of Agriculture and Environment said the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) has approved nearly 200 additional codes for durian growing areas and packing facilities in Dak Lak.

Specifically, the approvals comprise 140 growing area codes, covering more than 14,321 ha, alongside 31 packing facility codes, covering 91,135 m², with combined capacity of 5,470 tonnes per day. This brings the total number of approved durian growing area codes eligible for export to 420, covering 21,821 ha, while the number of approved packing facility codes has risen to 72.

A durian orchard in Ea Knuec commune during the harvest season.

The additional approvals reflect continued efforts to rectify and strengthen the management of growing area and packing facility codes, laying a foundation for the sustainable development of the durian industry.

To facilitate sustainable fruit exports to China while safeguarding the reputation of Vietnamese fruit exports, the Plant Production and Protection Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment has requested the Dak Lak Department of Agriculture and Environment to formally notify growing areas and packing facilities whose codes have been approved by GACC, and to carry out management and supervision in accordance with regulations.

In addition, the department has also been asked to guide approved growing areas and packing facilities to fully comply with regulations in both Viet Nam and the importing country, conduct pre-export inspections of consignments, and strictly observe plant quarantine and food safety requirements.

Nationwide, GACC has completed its assessment of 736 applications for Vietnamese durian, comprising 487 growing areas and 249 packing facilities. Of these, 401 growing areas and 166 packing facilities met the requirements and were approved, representing 82.3% and 66.7%, respectively, of the applications assessed.

Meanwhile, a further 283 growing area codes and 160 packing facility codes are awaiting GACC's review and response.

The approval of a large number of additional growing areas and packing facilities is expected to expand Viet Nam's capacity for official-channel durian exports to China, creating more favourable conditions for localities and enterprises to organise production, procurement, packing and exports, particularly as the Central Highlands enters its peak durian harvest season.

Translated by KHUONG THAO