Australia has officially opened its doors to Vietnamese dragonfruit, according to a report from the Vietnam Economic Times.
The move comes after the fruit was placed on a list of products approved for export to Australia earlier this year.
The report said the approved export protocol requires the fruit to undergo heat-vapour treatment for 40 minutes at 46.5oC, with at least 90 per centhumidity. The treatment must take place at a facility approved by the Vietnam Plant Protection Department, which has also been tasked with issuing a certificate of non-insect control under bio-safety control conditions.
The Vietnam Trade Office in Australia has begun advising dragonfruit suppliers to apply for export permits via Australia’s Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources.
The announcement comes in the same week as the launch of the Australia in Vietnam Agriculture Strategy.
The strategy is aimed at identifying economic, innovation and security priorities for both nations that offer the greatest returns and maximises common interests.
“I am constantly impressed with the breadth and depth of our work in agriculture, from projects that help smallholder farmers establish a business supplying safe vegetables to supermarkets in Hanoi, to large Vietnamese companies using Australian technology to pioneer sustainable shrimp farming in Vietnam”, said Australian Ambassador to Vietnam, Craig Chittick.
“The Australia in Vietnam Agriculture Strategy sets out the strategic framework for our agricultural relationship across the two missions in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, and covers all Australian Government agencies in Vietnam.”
