Vietnam agriculture faces stricter EU and China export standards

Vietnamese agricultural exporters are facing tightening international standards, particularly regarding the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) and evolving requirements in the Chinese market.

For the coffee sector, the EUDR aims to prevent products linked to deforestation from entering the EU market. Compliance will require businesses to prove product legality and origin. Large and medium enterprises must comply by December 30, 2026, while micro and small enterprises have until June 30, 2027. Experts suggest these regulations offer an opportunity to standardize supply chains and promote green growth.

Simultaneously, the Chinese market—which accounts for 65–70% of Vietnam's fruit and vegetable exports—is becoming more stringent. Importers are moving away from small-scale trade toward stricter requirements for phytosanitary standards, chemical residues, and traceability. There is an increasing demand for organic products, ecological farming, and green logistics to reduce carbon footprints, necessitating a shift in the Mekong Delta from volume-based production to quality-driven supply chains.