Vietnamese agricultural exports have been flagged 130 times by the European Union (EU) due to excessive pesticide residues and other safety violations, raising alarms over compliance issues and potential fraud in certification practices.

The EU is one of Vietnam’s key agricultural export markets, with 2024 export revenues reaching approximately $7.5 billion, accounting for 12% of the country’s total agricultural export value.

However, increasing safety warnings and stricter import regulations threaten this vital trade relationship.

At the Emergency Conference on Strengthening Compliance with EU Food Safety Regulations, held on February 24, Ngo Xuan Nam, Deputy Director of the Vietnam SPS Office (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development), revealed that since the beginning of 2024, the EU has issued 130 warnings regarding Vietnamese agricultural and food exports.

In comparison, Thailand received 74 warnings, Indonesia 29, South Korea 17, Malaysia 9, and Japan 6, making it evident that Vietnamese agricultural exports face significantly more scrutiny than those of neighboring countries.

Over the past two years, the EU has increasingly flagged pesticide and veterinary drug residues in Vietnamese agricultural exports. In 2023, the number of violations related to chemical residues was 38, but by 2024, this figure had surged to 61, marking a 60% increase.

In just the first two months of 2024, Vietnam’s SPS Office has already received five EU warnings, highlighting a worrying trend that could impact future trade agreements.

Beyond concerns over pesticide residues, the EU has also flagged Vietnamese agricultural products for microbial contamination, mold toxins, excessive food additives, contaminants in processed foods and seafood, and environmental pollutants exceeding permitted levels.

Vietnamese seafood, plant-based products, and processed foods have been most frequently cited for antibiotic residues, microbial contamination, and mold toxins, further complicating the country’s efforts to maintain compliance with EU import standards.

According to Ngo Xuan Nam, the high number of EU warnings is largely due to non-compliant use of pesticides and fertilizers, insufficient pest control measures, and a failure to adhere to importer regulations.

In the aquaculture sector, farmers continue to misuse antibiotics, apply incorrect dosages, and lack knowledge about bacterial diseases, leading to frequent EU violations.

While some argue that increased export volumes naturally lead to more warnings, Nam refuted this claim, pointing out that while Vietnam’s agricultural exports to the EU have slowed, the number of warnings has risen sharply.

He stressed that Vietnam cannot accept the rising number of EU warnings as "normal" and must take immediate action to improve food safety standards.

Beyond compliance issues, there are growing concerns over certification fraud, with some exporters illegally using GlobalGAP certifications to ship substandard goods.

Dang Phuc Nguyen, General Secretary of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, warned that this practice severely damages Vietnam’s reputation, increasing the risk of the EU tightening import controls on Vietnamese goods.

If exported products fail to meet EU standards, he explained, it not only affects the industry’s credibility but also increases the likelihood of stricter inspections, higher rejection rates, and potential trade restrictions.

With global food safety regulations tightening, not only in the EU but also in other key markets, experts urge Vietnam to strengthen pesticide and antibiotic regulations, enhance border inspections, improve pre-export quality checks, and develop clearer compliance guidelines for farmers and exporters.

Ensuring strict oversight of certification processes is also critical to prevent fraud and protect Vietnam’s agricultural export market, which generates billions of dollars annually.

Vietnam must act quickly to maintain its reputation in the international market and protect its $7.5 billion agricultural export sector in the EU.

The increasing frequency of safety violations highlights the urgent need for tighter regulations, better farmer education, and more rigorous certification enforcement to ensure that Vietnamese agricultural products remain competitive and compliant in global markets.

Tam An