As food safety and sustainability gain increasing global attention, major import markets have continued refining their entry requirements for fresh and processed agricultural products. In May 2025, the EU, USA, Saudi Arabia, and South Korea issued new updates on Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs), quarantine protocols, and labeling requirements—changes that exporters must quickly adapt to.
As food safety and sustainability gain increasing global attention, major import markets have continued refining their entry requirements for fresh and processed agricultural products. In May 2025, the EU, USA, Saudi Arabia, and South Korea issued new updates on Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs), quarantine protocols, and labeling requirements—changes that exporters must quickly adapt to.
| Country/Region | Type of Change | Affected Products | Effective Date | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EU (European Union) | Pesticide Residue Limits (MRL) | Strawberries, Peppers, Tomatoes | June 15, 2025 | Lowered the maximum residue limits for four pesticides including Difenoconazole. Products exceeding the limits will be denied entry. |
| USA | Quarantine & Declaration | Sweet Potatoes, Mangoes | Already in effect | Introduced new requirements for origin-based cold treatment and fumigation of wooden packaging. |
| Saudi Arabia | Labeling Requirements | All packaged fruits and vegetables | July 1, 2025 | All labels must include nutritional information and country of origin in Arabic. |
| South Korea | Inspection Frequency | Dried fruits (e.g., walnuts, dried apricots) | Effective immediately | Increased inspection frequency to every shipment for Chinese exports of walnuts and dried apricots. |
In May 2025, the European Commission issued a new notification tightening Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for several popular export products including strawberries, peppers, and tomatoes. The revised MRLs for the following four pesticides are:
-Difenoconazole: reduced from 0.5 mg/kg to 0.2 mg/kg
-Acetamiprid: reduced from 1 mg/kg to 0.4 mg/kg
-Tebuconazole: remains unchanged
Impact: Non-compliant batches will be subject to mandatory return or destruction. Exporters are strongly advised to reinforce in-house residue testing before shipment.
The USDA (APHIS) has implemented new phytosanitary protocols for mangoes from Southeast Asia and sweet potatoes from China:
-Mangoes: Must undergo cold treatment in the country of origin, with official certification provided.
-Sweet Potatoes: Must be packed on ISPM 15-certified wooden pallets and fumigated with methyl bromide.
Recommendation: Exporters should coordinate closely with importers regarding process adjustments and additional packaging material costs.
The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) announced that, starting July 1, 2025, all packaged fruit and vegetable products must comply with new labeling standards:
-Nutrition Facts must be displayed in Arabic
-Country of Origin must be labeled in both Chinese and Arabic
-Health claims (e.g. “boosts immunity”) are strictly prohibited
Risk: Non-compliant labeling may result in border rejections or fines.
In mid-May, South Korean customs introduced a new inspection regime for Chinese dried fruit exports:
-Products affected include walnuts, raisins, dried apricots, etc.
-Sampling frequency upgraded from batch inspection to every-batch testing
-Focused items include aflatoxins, sulfur dioxide residue, and bleaching agent use
Recommendation: Strengthen raw material quality control and maintain complete testing records to ensure smooth customs clearance.
✅Check if your product is affected and verify against updated MRL standards
✅Update export label templates to ensure Arabic content and compliance
✅Assess whether new processes (e.g., fumigation, cold treatment) are needed
✅Prepare origin inspection reports, especially for shipments to South Korea