A farmer works at his durian farm in Bình Phước Province. — VNA/VNS Photo Nhật Bình

HÀ NỘI — The European Union (EU) will increase pesticide residue checks at border gates for imported Vietnamese durian to 20 per cent from the current 10 per cent, the Vietnam Sanitary and Phytosanitary Notification Authority and Enquiry Point (Viet Nam SPS) has said. 

The move was made after Vietnamese fruits failed to comply with the maximum residue limit (MRL) of pesticides. 

Meanwhile, the EU will retain current inspection rates at borders for chili, okra and dragon fruit, with dragon fruit at 30 per cent, and chili and okra at 50 per cent.

The Vietnam SPS said that the EU will review the importer's compliance with food safety regulations to amend the frequency of border checks for each product every six months. 

Việt Nam's fruit and vegetable exports are expected reach over US$7 billion by year-end, an increase of 25 per cent compared to 2023. Of this, durian exports are expected to hit about $3.2 billion, continuing to be the industry's main export product.

Currently, the country has about 150,000ha of durian cultivation, with more than 75,000ha located in the Central Highlands. — VNS