Vietnam has begun operating a national agricultural product traceability system, starting with a six-month pilot for durian before expanding to all agricultural products by July 1, 2027.

The rollout will follow three phases.

In the first phase, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment will pilot traceability for durian over the next six months. From July 1, 2026, the system will enter full operation and extend to key agricultural product groups.

By July 1, 2027, all agricultural products for domestic consumption and export must comply with traceability requirements, while pilot application will expand to imported goods.

Six exporting companies have joined the trial, attaching electronic verification labels in the form of QR codes to durian shipments.

When consumers scan a QR code on a durian, they access the ministry’s data platform, which displays the product’s full journey, including planting area codes, harvest dates, storage facilities and distribution units.

Minister of Agriculture and Environment Tran Duc Thang said the system allows consumers to verify product information while giving authorities a reliable tool to monitor and trace goods throughout the supply chain.

“As traceability and food safety requirements grow stricter worldwide, Vietnam must raise production standards, strengthen management and increase transparency to ensure sustainable agricultural growth,” Thang said at the launch ceremony on December 26.

Our goal in 2026 is to ensure Vietnamese agricultural products are clean, safe and fully traceable.”

He said the system is a technology-driven solution to combat trade fraud, counterfeit goods and low-quality products.

In a more competitive global market, the minister said the value of agricultural products depends on quality, transparency and traceability.

The system will support businesses, cooperatives and farmers in adopting digital tools, improving market connectivity and expanding export opportunities, he added.

According to the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association (Vinafruit), Vietnam’s fruit and vegetable exports rose 20% year on year to nearly US$8.6 billion this year.

The United States remained the largest buyer, with imports reaching $500 million, up 56% from the previous year. South Korea, Japan and the Netherlands each recorded import values exceeding $100 million.

Export growth continues to rely mainly on key fruits, including durian, bananas, mangoes, jackfruit and coconuts.