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For the agricultural export market to South Korea, it is crucial that exported products comply with the new regulations and special considerations. However, recent incidents of Vietnamese mangoes and frozen chili peppers found with pesticide residues exceeding the permitted levels have raised alarms for Vietnam’s agricultural sector.

New Regulations on Pesticide Residues and Import Sanitation Assessment of South Korea

Starting from June 14, 2024, products containing processed meat and eggs must undergo the Import Sanitation Assessment (ISA) by South Korea. Notably, the permissible level of pesticide residues (PLS) is set at below 0.01mg/g.

Furthermore, Vietnam needs to complete the ISA by June 14, 2025, to maintain the export of processed meat and egg products. Products exported to the South Korean market must ensure quality, safety, and compliance with sanitary standards, meeting the demand for health-promoting, organic, and environmentally-friendly products.

According to the MFDS plan for inspecting imported agricultural products into South Korea, frozen chili peppers from Vietnam will be examined from March 31, 2023, to March 30, 2024, for seven types of pesticide residues, including: Diniconazole, Tolfenpyrad, Tricyclazole, Permethrin, Dimethoate, Isoprothiolein, and Methominostrobin.

Vietnamese Mango and Frozen Chili Products

The detection of pesticide residues exceeding permitted levels in mangoes and frozen chili peppers has raised concerns about the quality and safety of Vietnamese agricultural products. This also brings into question the management of quality and regulatory compliance in the production and export processes.

Permethrin, a pesticide used to control stink bugs, leaf-eating insects, flower borers, and fruit borers, was found in Vietnamese mangoes, exceeding the regulatory limits and causing significant food safety concerns. This incident not only impacts the reputation of Vietnam’s agricultural sector but also erodes consumer confidence in South Korea.

Meanwhile, the issue with frozen chili peppers serves as a strong warning regarding compliance with pesticide residue regulations. The discovery of PLS levels exceeding the allowable limit has cast doubt on the quality and safety of agricultural imports from Vietnam.

Challenges and Opportunities

Exporting agricultural products to South Korea presents significant opportunities for Vietnam’s agricultural sector but also poses substantial challenges in ensuring compliance with food safety and quality standards. It is necessary to understand and implement the new regulations while seeking new development opportunities in this market.

In facing these challenges and opportunities, Vietnam’s agricultural sector needs to implement improvement measures and proposals to ensure that exported agricultural products meet international market requirements. Only by ensuring quality and safety can Vietnamese agricultural products create a sustainable future in the international market.

Promoting agricultural exports to South Korea requires attention and effort from Vietnamese businesses and authorities. Only by ensuring the quality and safety of products can Vietnamese agricultural products create a sustainable future in the international market.

(Source: Bao Cong Thuong)