Fruit and vegetables are essential for good health and generate income for millions of smallholder farmers and other value chain actors in Viet Nam. However, consumers tend to reduce intake as they are concerned about food safety. They are mostly worried about pesticide contamination. Many fruits and vegetables in the country are produced with high usage of chemical fertilizers and pesticides.

The study assessed food safety in fruit and vegetable value chains in Viet Nam based on primary information through laboratory analysis of samples of selected produce and interviews with stakeholders along the value chain. Results showed that chemical contaminants were not a major risk factor, but foodborne pathogens are a particular concern for leafy vegetables. While the country has made progress on food safety, clear opportunities exist to improve farm management, market infrastructure, and the capacity of food safety authorities.

There were four main recommendations.

• Organizing smallholder farmers into groups (producers’ cooperatives) and introducing safe vegetable production areas play a catalytic role in promoting fruit and vegetable safety, and this should be expanded to other parts of the country.
• Farmers need to be adequately rewarded for safe produce while also subjected to stricter enforcement of existing pesticide regulations that also need to be harmonized. Farmers should be trained in soil fertility management to avoid fertilizer overuse, integrated pest and disease management, and business development to identify new market niches that value quality and safety of food.
• The government and the private sector should work together to better categorize fruits and vegetables based on food safety and other quality aspects and reduce disincentives for suppliers of high-quality produce. A section of a wet market could be designated as “safe fruits and vegetables,” showing labels and traceability and supported by regular testing.
• There is a need for more systematic testing for contaminants and making results publicly available, to guide investments and regain consumer confidence in food safety. There is also a clear need to strengthen the capacity of food safety authorities, both at the national and subnational levels. Food safety management needs to be guided by a clear understanding of and focus on risk factors, systematic use of data, and shared responsibilities between private and public sector actors, as well as preventive measures implemented along the value chain.

Published in February 2023

Imperatives for Improvement of Food Safety in Fruit and Vegetable Value Chains in Viet Nam | Asian Development Bank (adb.org)

https://www.adb.org/publications/food-safety-fruit-vegetable-value-chains-viet-nam

The authors of the report are:

• Abul Basher, Senior Natural Resources and Agricultural Specialist, Asian Development Bank
• Pham Van Hoi, Director, Center for Agricultural Research and Ecological Studies, Vietnam National University of Agriculture
• Tran Thi Dinh, Associate Professor and Head, Department of Food Processing Technology, Vietnam National University of Agriculture
• Ramasamy Srinivasan, Program Leader – Safe and Sustainable Value Chains, World Vegetable Center
• Pepijn Schreinemachers, Program Leader – Enabling Impact, World Vegetable Center