According to the Korean Embassy Note No. KEV-23-266 sent to the Phytosanitary Department of the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, individuals and companies exporting Vietnamese chillies are required to have drug residue test results from laboratories approved by it are ministry.

As of the end of February 2023, the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has approved 8 laboratories, including: 6 Agro-forestry-Fishery and Fisheries Regions 1-6 Quality Centers in Hai Phong, Da Nang, Khanh Hoa, HCMC, Ca Mau, Can Tho; and 2 independent laboratories, Intertek Company Can Tho Branch and SGS Vietnam Company in Ho Chi Minh City.

Fruit-shaped chillies to be exported to Korea need the test results from the above 8 labs along with the export shipment.

The temporary application of the above inspection requirements is 1 year, starting from March 31, 2023 to the end of March 30, 2024.

Korea is currently Vietnam’s third largest export market. According to the General Department of Customs, our country’s export turnover to South Korea reached US$3.79 billion in the first two months of 2023, up 2.1% from the same period last year and 7.6% of the sales accounts for country.

Kimchi country is also the only major market with positive sales growth, while exports to some other markets such as Japan, the EU, the United States and China have all declined.

According to the Vietnam Pepper Association, Vietnam exported about 4,900 tons of chili in 2022 with a turnover of US$11.9 million. Compared to 2021, both the value and production of our country’s chili exports have decreased.

Chili is one of the spices, along with pepper, cinnamon, star anise, ginger, turmeric… The main markets of this item are the United States, China, South Korea, the Arab countries, India and Russia.