Vietnam resumes fruit export to EU
Vietnam will grant quarantine certificates to its fresh fruit and vegetable as of June 30, making them eligible for export to the European Union (EU) after over 12 months of temporary halt.
Nguyen Van Nga, Head of the Zone 2 Plant Quarantine Sub-Department of the Plant Protection Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, revealed the information on the sidelines of the Congress of the Vietnamese Fruit and Vegetables Association held in Ho Chi Minh City on May 7.
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The temporary halt of the export of five kinds of vegetables, namely basil, sweet pepper, celery, bitter gourd and coriander began in early 2012 when the produce failed to meet EU food hygiene and safety regulations.
EU authorised agencies warned that if another five violations are detected they will issue a ban on all fruit and vegetable imports from Vietnam.
To avoid this, domestic exporters are advised to purchase fruits and vegetables produced in line with Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) standards.
According to the General Department of Customs, by mid-April, fruit and vegetable exports have brought home US$224 million, and the figure is expected to amount to US$1 billion this year.