Ms. Vu Ngoc Ha, General Director of Vusavi Joint Stock Company, one of the enterprises preparing to export frozen durian to China, stated:
“I believe that ensuring transparency and traceability is crucial to preventing fraud and increasing the credibility of Vietnamese durian in the international market.”
She emphasized that businesses need to work more closely with independent inspection organizations to ensure product quality before export. This also includes staying updated with and complying with new regulations from both Vietnamese authorities and importing countries to avoid quality or procedural issues.
After multiple rounds of negotiations, Vietnam and China agreed on a criterion for freezing durian at -18°C within one hour. The General Director of Vusavi remarked that this brings both advantages and challenges.
Advantages:
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Preserving Product Quality:
"Freezing at -18°C helps maintain the quality, flavor, and nutritional value of durian, especially during long-distance transportation," she explained.
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Extending Shelf Life:
The freezing process slows down ripening and spoilage, enabling businesses to store products for longer periods without worrying about deterioration, ensuring that durian reaches customers in optimal condition.
Ms. Ha also noted that this criterion aligns with international practices.
This not only facilitates Vietnamese durian's entry into the Chinese market but also meets the stringent requirements of international markets, enhancing competitiveness and expanding export opportunities, particularly in markets like the EU and the US.
Challenges:
The first challenge for Vietnamese enterprises in exporting frozen durian is the high investment cost. Companies must invest in advanced freezing systems, cold storage, and related equipment. This creates significant initial expenses, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises.
The process of freezing durian is also not simple, as it must strictly adhere to specific time and temperature requirements, demanding high precision and technical expertise.
Enterprises must train their workforce and monitor technical procedures closely to ensure efficiency.
Another challenge is the increase in operating costs.
Maintaining low temperatures throughout the transportation and storage process requires significant energy and warehouse expenses, which can raise operating costs and impact product prices.
An often overlooked issue is product loss.
If the freezing process is not conducted properly, it can lead to product damage, causing economic losses and harming the company’s reputation in the market.
Businesses planning to export frozen durian also highlight factors such as cold storage management, regular maintenance, product sorting, and warehouse organization.
According to Ms. Ha, to secure a stable market, the first step is to train farmers and update them on the international market's requirements for durian products. This includes quality standards, food safety, and traceability. It helps them understand the severe consequences of fraudulent practices.
Source: https://nongnghiep.vn/
