Vietnamese pomelos officially exported to Australia

Vietnamese pomelos have officially been exported to Australia, becoming the eighth Vietnamese fruit permitted to enter the market.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, in collaboration with the Australian Embassy in Vietnam, held a ceremony on October 9 to mark the export of Vietnamese pomelos to Australia and Australian blueberries to Vietnam.

Other Vietnamese fruits already available in Australia include dragon fruit, mango, longan, rambutan, lychee, star apple, and passion fruit. Meanwhile, blueberries are now the eighth Australian fruit allowed to enter Vietnam, following grapes, oranges, mandarins, cherries, peaches, nectarines, and plums.

Vietnamese fresh pomelos are currently exported to 14 countries and territories, including the US, the Republic of Korea, and New Zealand. Australia becomes the 15th market and a key gateway to Oceania. Vietnam is the world’s second-largest pomelo producer, with around 110,000 hectares under cultivation and an annual output exceeding 1.2 million tons.

Last year, fresh pomelo exports generated around US$60 million in turnover. The area dedicated to Pomelo cultivation has expanded from 50,000 hectares in 2015 to over 100,000 hectares this year, producing nearly 1 million tonnes annually.

Bilateral agricultural and food trade between Vietnam and Australia reached $2.9 billion last year, reflecting a deepening economic relationship between the two countries.

Australia’s Ambassador to Vietnam Gillian Bird expressed excitement that Vietnamese consumers will soon enjoy Australian blueberries, which are grown in diverse soils and climates, offer high nutritional value, and meet strict safety and sustainability standards.

Ambassador Bird noted that, thanks to the proximity between the two countries, Australian blueberries could reach Vietnam within 24 hours of harvest. She also looked forward to enjoying Vietnamese pomelo in Australia and reaffirmed her commitment to supporting two-way market agreements that promote trade and foster agricultural development between the two nations.