Durian contaminated with cadmium – Current situation and solutions for farmers and export

The current situation of Cadmium contamination in durian

Youtube Video: 🚨 WARNING: Cadmium and Yellow O – Two hidden dangers in durian fruit!

Cadmium residue is the reason why many exported durian batches are returned. According to a report by the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, in 2025, durian export value in the first 4 months of the year only reached 183 million USD, a decrease of 60.9 % compared to the same period in 2024. In the Chinese market, exports plummeted by 75.5 %.

The problem became serious when Chinese customs authorities discovered several durian shipments containing cadmium exceeding the limit and “Yellow O” (Auramine O), causing entire containers to be returned. According to the WTO – VCCI Center, cadmium and Yellow O are two of thousands of technical standards that importing markets impose on Vietnamese fruits. At the 2025 durian sustainable development workshop, a representative from the Ministry of Agriculture stated that some durian growing regions have high cadmium residues, mainly due to soil characteristics and excessive fertilization habits.

Why is durian contaminated with Cadmium?

Cadmium from soil and water sources

• Mineral-rich or contaminated soil – In some areas, the soil has high mineral content or is affected by mining. Durian trees absorb this heavy metal through their roots during growth. 
• Contaminated water sources – Irrigation with water containing heavy metals (due to waste or mining) also increases cadmium in the soil. 
• Lack of pH and organic matter control – Acidic soil (pH < 6) breaks down CdCO₃ and Cd(OH)₂ minerals, making cadmium more soluble. Soil poor in organic matter or lacking zinc and calcium also causes plants to absorb more cadmium.

Cadmium from chemical fertilizers

• Apatite ore contains natural Cd – Phosphate fertilizers (superphosphate, DAP, MAP) produced from apatite ore contain a small amount of Cadmium. Some imported products have high Cd content; for example, in 2023, Korean DAP fertilizer contained 28 mg Cd/kg, double Vietnam’s permissible limit. 
• Overuse of fertilizers – Many farmers apply fused phosphate 3–4 times the recommended amount, causing cadmium to accumulate in the soil and crops. Investigations by the Ministry of Agriculture concluded that excessive use of fertilizers is a subjective reason for cadmium accumulation in the soil. 
• Imported DAP fertilizer – Vinacam Group stated that some DAP fertilizers from Korea exceeded cadmium levels and requested an investigation. Although there is no official conclusion yet, this suspicion indicates the need to control import sources.
  

Cultivation and management factors

• Non-rotated gardens – Continuously cultivated land that is not  
• Thiếu kiểm tra trước thu hoạch – Nhiều nhà vườn ngại thử nghiệm cadimi trước khi bán vì sợ phát hiện vượt ngưỡng. Điều này làm tăng nguy cơ lô hàng bị trả về. 

Cadimi nguy hiểm thế nào?

• Cadimi là kim loại nặng độc hại đối với sức khỏe con người. Nếu tích tụ lâu dài, nó có thể gây tổn thương thận, làm yếu xương và gây ung thư phổi. Trong đất, cadimi tồn tại dưới nhiều dạng; khi ở dạng ion hòa tan (Cd²⁺), cây hấp thụ dễ dàng. Đất chua, nghèo hữu cơ và thiếu kẽm, canxi càng làm cadimi dễ di động

Giải pháp kiểm soát cadimi trong vườn sầu riêng

1. Quản lý phân bón và nguồn nước

• Chọn phân bón an toàn – Sử dụng phân bón từ thương hiệu uy tín, có chứng nhận hàm lượng cadimi < 12 mg/kg. Tránh mua phân nhập khẩu không rõ nguồn gốc và kiểm tra định kỳ cadimi trong phân. 
• Bón phân đúng liều – Tuân thủ khuyến cáo về lượng lân, NPK; kết hợp phân hữu cơ để giảm nhu cầu hóa học. 
• Irrigation water management – Do not irrigate with industrial wastewater; periodically test well water and canal water.

2. Soil improvement and reduction of cadmium solubility

• Increase soil pH – Apply lime or dolomite to maintain pH around 6–6.5 to help cadmium precipitate into an insoluble form.
• Increase organic matter – Apply well-rotted manure, green manure, return straw to improve soil. Organic matter forms complexes with cadmium and immobilizes it in the solid phase. 
• Supplement zinc and calcium – Zn²⁺ and Ca²⁺ ions compete with cadmium on the plant’s ‘transport pathway’, helping to reduce absorption. Use micronutrient fertilizers containing zinc and calcium to balance nutrients. 
• Use adsorbent materials – Biochar, zeolite, or finely ground basalt rock can adsorb cadmium and increase soil pH. 

3. Control of growing areas and enhanced monitoring

• Cadmium mapping – The Ministry of Agriculture is implementing cadmium map to identify ‘hotspots’; collect soil, water, and fertilizer samples to warn high-risk areas. This map will help managers and businesses proactively avoid pollution sources. 
• Regular soil and water testing – Take soil and water samples at least annually for cadmium analysis. When high levels are detected, soil improvement with adsorbent materials or crop rotation is necessary. 
• Cadmium testing before export – Businesses should proactively test for cadmium directly in the garden or at the packing facility to avoid rejected shipments. Currently, Vietnam has 15 laboratories capable of measuring cadmium, but large growing areas like the Central Highlands still lack testing facilities; further investment is needed to serve farmers. 

4. Changing cultivation practices and moving towards sustainable agriculture

• Crop rotation – Intercrop legumes or cadmium-absorbing plants (mustard greens) to ‘extract’ cadmium and reduce accumulation in the soil. 
• Use organic mineral fertilizers – Organic mineral fertilizer products, such as those from VIDAN Fertilizer, help supplement nutrients, increase humus, and limit cadmium. 
• Reduce abuse of plant protection products – Limit the use of heavy metal-containing pesticides; apply biological measures for pest and disease control. 
• Training and communication – Enhance training for farmers on the harmful effects of cadmium and safe cultivation techniques.

Conclusion

Cadmium is a toxic heavy metal that not only affects human health but also threatens the Vietnamese durian brand. Many shipments have been rejected due to exceeding cadmium limits, causing a sharp decline in durian exports in 2025. The causes stem from soil, water, and the overuse of cadmium-containing fertilizers.

To protect orchards and the export market, farmers and businesses need to proactively choose safe fertilizers, apply correct dosages, increase soil pH, increase organic matter, and supplement zinc and calcium and periodically test for cadmium. At the same time, the cadmium mapping and investing in more testing laboratories will help the durian industry cope with the increasingly stringent requirements of the international market.