Hanoi (VNA) - Passion fruit from Vietnam became the latest to be approved for export to Australia’s demanding market, following mango, longan, lychee, and dragon fruit.
approved for export to Australia’s demanding market, following mango, longan, lychee, and dragon fruit.
A ceremony to announce the news was held on September 9 by the Plant Protection Department (PPD) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), in collaboration with the Australian Embassy in Vietnam.
Authorities from both nations have completed the final procedures for licensing the import of passion fruit from Vietnam to Australia and plums from Australia to Vietnam. Pomelo from Vietnam and blueberries from Australia are next on the list of upcoming products for market access.
Fruit harvested from Vietnam and exported to Australia is subject to strict biosecurity requirements. To minimise pest risks associated with passion fruit exports, risk management measures must be implemented to ensure growing areas, production zones, and facilities remain pest-free.
The PPD is committed to guiding farmers and local authorities on production practices that meet requirements, further leveraging the advantages of passion fruit.
Beyond promoting market access for passion fruit and plums, the two countries will continue to finalise the last stages to introduce Vietnamese pomelos and Australian blueberries to each other's markets.
According to vtv.vn, Andrew Goledzinowski, Australian Ambassador to Vietnam, said at the announcement ceremony that the trade of agricultural products, including fruit, between the two countries has been developing continuously. Notably, high-quality fruit trade is on the rise.
In addition to jointly announcing the import of passion fruit and plums, the Australian Ambassador mentioned that Australia is supporting Vietnam in producing 200,000 hectares of quality, low-emission rice as part of the government and MARD's one-million-hectare rice project.
Agricultural trade cooperation between Vietnam and Australia has nearly doubled in the past two years, reaching about 43 billion USD. Currently, Vietnam is Australia's second-largest agricultural trading partner after China. It also exports numerous frozen and processed farm produce to Australia. The opening of agricultural markets shows good signs thanks to the effective collaboration between technical staff from both sides.
Huynh Tat Dat, Director of the PPD, said, "Vietnamese fruits are exported to over 60 countries and territories. Notably, passion fruit has been shipped to markets with strict requirements on quality, quarantine, and food safety such as France, Germany, the Netherlands, the Republic of Korea, Taiwan, Switzerland, and Australia."
With export advantages and market potential, passion fruit is providing growers with a considerable income source. It is one of Vietnam's highest-value export fruits. Over the past five years, the production and export value of passion fruit have skyrocketed by over 300%.
The area under passion fruit cultivation is trending upward, with over 12,000 hectares, mainly in the northern mountainous regions. Currently, many Central Highlands provinces are also focusing on expanding passion fruit cultivation areas.
Recently, Vietnam has focused on improving quality, implementing chain production, and ensuring traceability of passion fruit, concentrating on two varieties: yellow and purple passion fruit./.
