Australia approves in principle import of Vietnam’s dragon fruit

The Australian Embassy in Vietnam said on January 13 that the ministry has released its final review of bio-security import requirements for Vietnam’s fresh dragon fruits, which recommended the importation of fresh dragon fruit to Australia from all commercial production areas of Vietnam will be permitted, subject to a range of bio-security conditions.

The Australian government looks forward to continue working with Vietnam in the next steps to make importation of Vietnamese fresh dragon fruits to Australia possible, said Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Craig Chittick, who expressed his delight to this significant development.

Before the trade can commence, the two governments need to undertake a few more steps, including the establishment of the standard operating procedures for the vapour heat treatment facilities and the finalisation of the import requirements for fresh dragon fruits.

Australia began its work on market access for Vietnamese dragon fruits to Australia in April 2016. The Australian Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources sent officials to Vietnam in June that year to inspect production and packaging process for the fruit. The collection of public feedback for the draft report for the bio-security import requirements review for the fruit completed in mid-November 2016. 

According to the Australian Embassy in Vietnam, Australia is also in the process of considering access for other Vietnamese fruits. The first consignments of Vietnamese lychees were exported to Australia in May 2015 while the first shipment of Vietnamese mangoes arrived in Australia in September 2016.