The Vietnam SPS Office (National Notification and Enquiry Point on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures) recently reported that it has received several alerts from the EU Food and Feed Safety System concerning violations in Vietnamese food exports that did not comply with EU regulations. As a result, businesses are urged to study the market’s requirements thoroughly before exporting to minimize risks.
Tightening Food Safety Regulations
According to the Vietnam Trade Office in Sweden, the EU has introduced new rules related to fresh agricultural products. For example, imported produce must meet strict Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for pesticides. Certain chemicals prohibited in the EU will be completely banned on imported goods. Under Regulation 2023/915, the maximum residue level for cadmium has been lowered for fruits such as strawberries, citrus, mangoes, bananas, and pineapples.
Additionally, fresh produce exported to the EU must have a phytosanitary certificate, certifying that the products are free from harmful organisms. Exceptions include bananas, coconuts, dates, pineapples, and durians, which do not require this certificate. However, the EU also recommends additional measures such as heat treatment for mangoes to prevent fruit fly infestations.
The EU applies higher inspection rates to products considered at high risk of chemical residue from certain countries.
Meanwhile, within the EU, Nordic supermarkets often impose their own, stricter standards on specific products. For instance, the Nordic honey market (Sweden, Denmark, and Norway) applies strict traceability rules under the EU Honey Directive (Directive 2024/1438), with additional requirements such as: blended honey must list each country of origin on the main label; honey samples undergo advanced testing for authenticity; and the entire supply chain—from beehive to final product—must be fully documented. By 2028, the EU will standardize this testing method across the region.
Mr. Ngo Xuan Nam, Deputy Director of the Vietnam SPS Office, noted that not only the EU but also most major export markets for Vietnamese agricultural products have updated food safety and animal health regulations. These rules are science-based, risk-assessed, and internationally notified. EU violations by Vietnamese businesses mainly stem from: failing to register “novel foods” under EU regulations; inaccurate ingredient declarations, especially allergens; use of unauthorized or excessive food additives; and lack of veterinary checks at border entry for composite products containing animal-derived ingredients. Relevant legal frameworks include Regulation (EU) 2015/2283 on novel foods, Regulation (EU) 2018/1023 listing approved novel foods, Article 21 of Regulation (EU) 1169/2011 on allergen labeling, Annex II of Regulation (EC) 1333/2008 on permitted food additives, and Regulation (EU) 2022/2292 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2019/625 on composite products containing animal-origin ingredients.
Updating Rules, Ensuring Compliance
Nguyen Thi Hoang Thuy, Commercial Counsellor of the Vietnam Trade Office in Sweden (also covering Denmark, Finland, Norway, Ireland, and Latvia), emphasized that the Nordic market demands high standards of quality and traceability, requiring Vietnamese exporters to be thoroughly prepared. With the right strategy, however, businesses can not only overcome challenges but also expand market share in the region. Coffee is currently one of the key products worth promoting.
In Sweden, extreme weather has pushed coffee prices to their highest in decades. Forecasts suggest retail coffee prices will increase by USD 1–1.5 per pack in early 2025, with at least two further hikes expected this year. While Arabica is the preferred coffee in Northern Europe, rising Arabica prices may drive importers to seek more affordable Robusta supplies. Vietnamese businesses should position high-quality Robusta as a cost-effective alternative, improving flavor profiles (less bitterness, more aroma) and adopting sustainable farming practices. Obtaining international certifications such as Rainforest Alliance and Fair Trade will further enhance competitiveness.
For fruits and vegetables, the Import-Export Department (Ministry of Industry and Trade) highlighted that the EU is a large and stable market, relying heavily on external suppliers year-round. According to Eurostat, in the first 11 months of 2024, the EU imported fruits, vegetables, and processed products worth about USD 83.55 billion from non-EU countries. Vietnam ranked 24th among these suppliers, with exports worth USD 258.23 million.
However, this accounts for only 0.31% of the EU’s total non-EU imports in this category. In 2025, Vietnam’s prospects remain positive, as European consumers increasingly favor fruits such as mango, pineapple, dragon fruit, passion fruit, rambutan, lychee, and longan. To boost market share, Vietnamese exporters must strengthen supply chain management—from cultivation, production, and packaging to logistics—ensuring transparency and strict compliance with sourcing and green growth standards.
(Source: Nhan Dan Newspaper, February 15, 2025)
