A dragon fruit export company told VietNamNet on July 26 morning that the HCMC Food Safety Department had received their application and would soon issue a phytosanitary certificate for the company’s exports. 

Under Circular 12/2025, effective from July 1, the authority to issue food safety certificates for plant-based exports has been transferred from the Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection (under the ministry) to provincial-level People’s Committees.

This certificate is mandatory to verify that export shipments meet the importing country’s quarantine requirements.

The application was approved on the afternoon of July 25. However, as the dragon fruit had been stored for over 20 days, the company is concerned about the fruit's quality, and there is a risk that many will have to be discarded.

Huynh Canh, chair of the Binh Thuan Dragon Fruit Association, added that on the afternoon of July 25, five shipments with 5 tons of dragon fruit received certificates.

He estimated that over 50 percent of the stored dragon fruit might have to be discarded. "Storage for about 15 days can still ensure quality. If it is kept for more than 20 days, it will probably be thrown away," he said.

The association also noted that while waiting for Vietnam's supply, European enterprises imported dragon fruit from Ecuador and Thailand. Notably, Thailand has been purchasing dragon fruit from Vietnam, about 5 tons per week.

As previously reported by VietNamNet, dragon fruit exports in Binh Thuan (former) faced severe disruptions. The backlog, starting July 1, led to about 100 tons of dragon fruit spoiling, with 50-70 tons still in storage and unable to be exported due to the absence of state-issued food safety certificates.

Similarly, businesses under the Vietnam Pepper and Spice Association (VPSA) faced a backlog of inventory worth approximately $2.4 million, which could not be exported.

Delays in issuing certificates for plant-based export goods have stalled exports, disrupted supply chains, damaged trust with international partners, and affected raw material procurement and processing.

On July 24, the Government Office issued a document to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and chairpersons of provinces/cities to handle public opinions and concerns regarding the export issues of dragon fruit and pepper. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh directed the Minister of Agriculture and Environment and the chairperson of Lam Dong Province to instruct relevant agencies to urgently resolve the issues hindering dragon fruit and pepper to the EU.

Tam An