Vietnam’s passion fruits and Australian plums soon to granted market access

The meeting focused on preparing a joint announcement between the two agriculture ministers during the upcoming visit of Minister Le Minh Hoan to Australia. The discussions also covered issues related to market access for agricultural products from both countries and preparations for a memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR).

Agricultural Counsellor in the Australian Embassy in Hanoi, Tony Harman praised that Australia and Vietnam enjoy a very productive relationship with agriculture that covers trade, investment, research cooperation, agri tech, and the vital work of the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR).

Accordingly, Vietnam is the only trading partner where Australia is progressing to commodities simultaneously, which has been not adopted for any other trading partner in the world. The two countries’  two-way agricultural trade has nearly doubled in the last two years to realize 6.5 billion AUD. Vietnam is Australia's biggest market, the second biggest market behind China for exports of horticultural produce. However, horticultural exports from Vietnam to Australia are even greater when it considers frozen, fresh, juiced nut products, and processed products.

Indeed, when it comes to fresh produce, it is only New Zealand and the United States that export more to Australia, and then Vietnam and China.

According to the Australian Counsellor, during the coming visit of the MARD Minister to Australia, the former hoped that the two sides would come up with a joint statement. 

Proposing in details of the joint statement, he said to expect to receive a letter from Canberra for the approval of Toan Phat Irradiation for trade in fresh mangoes, longans and lychees from Vietnam to Australia, with the intervening steps being receipt of dose mapping configuration data from Vietnam. Subject to receipt of the dose mapping data, Australia will then update the work plan. The other important thing which it's really important is a decision Appendix 3 will add Toan Phat to the list of approved facilities for export to Australia. The information will then reflect in Biosecurity Import Conditions system (BICON) arrangements so trade can commence.

Secondly, Australia will send microscope as a gift to Vietnam to assist in plant diagnosis, pest diagnosis. “The microscope will be presented to Vietnam and undertake some training on the use of that microscope, particularly on nematodes, which has been identified by Vietnam as a priority”, said Mr. Harman. 

Regarding Australian honey exports to Vietnam, he noted that the former has been working with the Department of Animal Health, and currently, Australia is in the process of drafting relevant quarantine certificates for honey products exported to Vietnam. Mr. Harman mentioned that the certificates would soon be sent to the Department of Animal Health for approval.

Australia also proposes that quarantine inspections and evaluations of plum fruit be conducted during the working visit of the Plant Protection Department, aiming to facilitate the early promotion of plum exports to Vietnam and the export of passion fruits to Australia.

“So I believe if we could progress the technical work at a sufficient pace, exports of Australian honey and plums, exports of Vietnamese passion fruit, the approval for irradiation facility and the microscope donation would serve as a very substantial component of the joint statement.I believe it would showcase agriculture as being a central feature of that relationship”, said Mr. Harman. 

Regarding the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Deputy Minister Hoang Trung expressed agreement and appreciation for the collaboration between the two ministries and the two countries in agriculture. Many significant agricultural technical projects in Vietnam have received financial support and consultancy from Australia. In connection with Australia's proposals and preparations for the Minister's visit, Deputy Minister Hoang Trung requested the harmonization of certain matters.

He suggested that Australia actively collaborate with the Plant Protection Department and Vietnamese irradiation facilities, including Toan Phat, to refine technical processes, ensuring full compliance with processing standards for exported fruits to Australia. Regarding Australia's plums and Vietnam's passion fruits, Deputy Minister recommended Australia finalize the pest risk analysis report for passion fruits in collaboration with Vietnam. 

Conversely, the Ministry directed the Plant Protection Department to expedite the pest risk assessment procedures to be sent to Australia. Both sides are actively exchanging information to refine import requirements, and the upcoming working visit of the Plant Protection Department will include on-site inspections to facilitate the joint declaration during the Minister's visit.

The honey issue also needs technical resolution for inclusion in the joint statement. Regarding the microscope donation, Deputy Minister Hoang Trung expressed gratitude to Australia and proposed active support for training to ensure efficient equipment operation. Additionally, the content on the fruit fly is of particular interest to Vietnam's plant protection sector.

Concerning the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and ACIAR, the Deputy Minister suggested constructing and incorporating the content related to agricultural research into the upcoming Minister's visit.