Nearly 2,000 durian containers stuck as testing halts

For more than ten days, nearly 2,000 containers of durians from Dak Lak have been stuck at warehouses and border gates, after laboratories suspended chemical residue testing required for export certification. The sudden disruption has halted the export chain, with businesses facing potential losses worth hundreds of billions of đồng while farmers struggle with sharply falling prices.

According to Mr. Le Anh Trung, Chairman of the Dak Lak Durian Association, the congestion began on October 11, when testing labs stopped receiving samples and delayed results for previously submitted batches. Without a residue test certificate a mandatory requirement for export companies had no choice but to suspend procurement.Only a few facilities currently have the capacity to test both required indicators: auramine O and cadmium, while most labs can only test one. The shortage of qualified testing capacity during peak harvest has paralyzed the Dak Lak durian supply chain.

Data from the association shows that around 2,000 containers are currently stranded, with many stuck for 10-15 days, risking quality degradation, cracked shells, and spoilage. Grade-A durian prices at factories have dropped from over 100,000 VND/kg to around 80,000 VND/kg, while farmers and cooperatives have been forced to stop selling.

Thousands of tons of ripe durians remain unsold in orchards, while farmers continue bearing storage, handling, and maintenance costs pushing the entire sector into distress.

Facing this situation, the Dak Lak Durian Association has requested urgent intervention from the Ministry of Agriculture & Environment and the provincial authorities to resume testing. The association proposed a priority fast-track mechanism for export samples during the peak season, and temporary authorization for qualified local units to conduct testing to reduce the burden on central labs.

On October 24, the ministry held an emergency meeting with designated labs and relevant agencies. That same evening, some facilities began releasing pending test results, helping partially clear blocked shipments. However, sample intake has not fully resumed, and exporters are awaiting formal guidance.Despite partial progress, the durian export chain continues to face immense pressure. Every day of delay risks further spoilage and reputational damage in international markets. According to Mr. Trung, urgent interim measures are needed to ensure uninterrupted testing and prevent future disruptions during peak harvest periods.

Customs data shows that in the first eight months of the year, Vietnam exported 451,000 tons of fresh durians worth USD 1.52 billion, down 24% in volume and 25% in value year-on-year. Meanwhile, frozen durian exports reached over 58,000 tons worth USD 265 million, up 67% and 127%, demonstrating continued demand despite rising quality control requirements. The association is compiling loss estimates from businesses to request support policies, aiming not only to address immediate challenges but also build a stable, long-term testing and quality-control framework for Vietnam’s durian industry one of the country’s top agricultural export sectors.