A pomelo farming cooperative in Vietnam has obtained Voluntary Sustainability Standard (VSS) certifications. (Photo: HTX Bưởi Da Xanh)
“Just one non-compliant fruit can result in the rejection of an entire shipment,” said Nguyen Dang Tuan Minh, founder of KisStartup, a sustainability consultancy in Vietnam. She noted that Vietnam’s export sector is under growing pressure to adapt, and even small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) such as local cooperatives cultivating pomelos are not exempt.
As one of the world’s major exporters of fruit, coffee, pepper, seafood, and textiles, Vietnam is being reshaped by the global shift toward green and sustainable consumption in the post-pandemic era. Voluntary Sustainability Standards (VSS) have become essential credentials for exporters seeking to maintain their foothold in international markets and enhance competitiveness.
