On the 17th March, 2021, the Malaysia sent an official note to Vietnam. The note announced that, starting from the first April, 2021, they have allowed Vietnamese chili imports.
Vietnam is one of the major exporters of chili peppers to Malaysia. However, there was a period during which the Malaysia detected multiple consignments of Vietnamese chili imports exceeding the maximum allowable pesticide residue limits. As a result, the Malaysia announced a temporary suspension of chili imports from Vietnam.
In response, Vietnam’s government required Vietnamese chili exporters to study and comply with Malaysia’s food hygiene and safety regulations. Doing it well would avoid economic losses and protect the reputation of Vietnamese agricultural products.
Vietnamese chili imports
At the same time, Vietnam officially requested that Malaysia clarify its permitted pesticide residue standards. Therefore, Vietnam’s chili suppliers could use them as a reference. Furthermore, the two sides should discuss to reach mutual recognition on quality inspection procedures. It would enable Vietnamese enterprises to meet Malaysia’s standards and resume export approval for Vietnamese chili imports to this market.
In order to pass the customs procedures, Vietnam’s chili companies should meet additional food safety conditions:
√ Growing areas must apply production measures consistent with good agricultural practices.
√ Growing areas and packing facilities must be assigned codes issued and managed by a competent authority.
In addition, chili consignments must undergo food safety inspection before export. Then, such consignments should get a document “Notification of inspection results for plant-origin food for export.”
Small chili from Vietnam
To comply with Malaysia’s requirements, Vietnam issued a formal notice to agencies, organizations, and individuals. The formal note requested such related parties in the chili export supply chain carry out the following:
Provincial Departments of agriculture and rural development:
Assign codes for growing areas and packing facilities for Vietnamese chili imports to Malaysia.
Guide and monitor growing areas to use only pesticides on the permission list for chili cultivation in Vietnam.
Strictly manage the trading, distribution, and use of pesticides within their jurisdiction, particularly in chili-growing areas. Strengthen inspection, supervision, and enforcement against violations in pesticide trading and use.
Promote awareness and provide guidance to chili growers on pesticide use and cultivation practices to ensure compliance with the importing country’s regulations.
Big chili from Vietnam
Chili exporting companies:
Contact the Plant Protection to identify growing areas and packing facilities that have been assigned codes.
Only purchase chilies for export from coded growing areas and packing facilities. Require suppliers to maintain a traceability system and be ready to provide it upon request.
Register for food safety inspection for chili consignments exported to Malaysia in accordance with Circular No. 44/2018/TT-BNNPTNT.
Sub-Departments of plant quarantine:
Conduct food safety inspections and issue the “Notification of inspection results for plant-origin food for export” for fresh chili consignments exported to Malaysia.