Vietnamese grapefruit exported to Australia for the first time

On the morning of October 9, the Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection (Ministry of Agriculture and Environment) coordinated with the Australian Embassy in Vietnam to announce that Vietnamese grapefruit was officially exported to Australia, while Australian blueberries entered the Vietnamese market.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Hoang Trung, Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Gillian Bird and delegates at the announcement ceremony of exporting Vietnamese grapefruit to Australia on the morning of October 9. Photo: Bao Thang

This is the sixth Vietnamese fruit to be available in Australia, after dragon fruit, lychee, longan, mango and passion fruit. Fresh Vietnamese grapefruit is now available in 14 countries and territories, including the US, South Korea, New Zealand, etc.

Over the past 10 years, the area of ​​grapefruit cultivation in Vietnam has doubled, from 50,000 hectares (2015) to more than 100,000 hectares (2025), producing nearly one million tons per year. Export turnover in 2024 is expected to reach about 60 million USD. With the advantage of not too high production costs and year-round harvest, Vietnamese grapefruit is assessed to have much room for export expansion.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Hoang Trung speaks at the announcement ceremony. Photo: Bao Thang

Speaking at the announcement ceremony, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Hoang Trung said that in the context of the volatile world economy , Vietnamese agriculture must innovate more strongly, in a green and transparent direction.

“The presence of Vietnamese grapefruit in Australia affirms the integration capacity of Vietnamese agricultural products. In contrast, Australian blueberries in Vietnam not only expand the choices for consumers, but also create a foundation for building a two-way supply chain between the two countries,” said Mr. Trung.

He emphasized that this success is the result of coordination between management agencies, businesses and farmers of the two countries, especially the cooperation between the Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection of Vietnam and the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF).

Mr. Huynh Tan Dat, Director of the Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection, spoke at the announcement ceremony. Photo: Bao Thang

Under the agreement, grapefruit exported to Australia must be fresh, whole, without or with only a short stem. Growing areas and packing facilities must be coded to ensure they are free from 19 harmful organisms banned by Australia.

Shipments must comply with packaging, labelling and storage regulations. Fresh grapefruit for export must be irradiated to a minimum of 150 Gy at an approved facility, and undergo quarantine procedures in Vietnam and inspection upon arrival at Australian ports.

To fully meet quarantine and food safety requirements, the Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection will coordinate with localities to organize training, disseminate regulations, and provide guidance on granting codes for growing areas and packaging facilities.

According to experts, the entry of Vietnamese grapefruit into the Australian market not only opens up more consumption channels for farmers but also enhances the brand value of Vietnamese agricultural products. This is also an opportunity for the Vietnamese fruit industry to improve its production process according to international standards, moving towards expanding exports to other demanding markets.

“Grapefruit is a product with advantages, stable output, and increasingly high quality. Successfully opening to Australia is a positive signal for us to continue expanding the market and realizing the goal of sustainable agricultural exports,” Deputy Minister Hoang Trung affirmed.

Source: https://daibieunhandan.vn/buoi-viet-nam-lan-dau-xuat-khau-sang-australia-10389757.html