The project is part of a two-way agricultural market access agreement to supply Australian plums to Vietnam and Vietnamese passion fruit to Australia.

Australia’s agro- fishery-forestry exports to Vietnam are set to reach AUD 3.7 billion (about US$2.5 billion) in the 2023-2024 period.

The growing stone fruit trade will help further strengthen Australia’s trade relationship with Vietnam – the Oceania nation’s sixth largest export market.

The agreement supports the agriculture sector’s goal of becoming an AUD100 billion (US$67 billion) industry and the Australian horticulture sector’s target of becoming an AUD 20 billion (US$13.4 billion) industry by 2030.

Vietnam and Australia are currently in favourable negotiations on the export of Australian blueberries to Vietnam and Vietnamese grapefruit to Australia.

The Australian side affirmed that Vietnam is an important diversification market for Australian exporters and is a focus of the “Investment: Australia’s Southeast Asia Strategy to 2040” program.

Australian Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Julie Collins described the new market access as a significant milestone for the stone fruit industry, and the Vietnam – Australia trade ties, saying accelerating mutual market access reflects the strong relationship between the two countries, and serves as the driving force to support the Australian agricultural sector to capitalize on export opportunities.

The Australian government is focusing on opening doors for the sector, and this is a positive step in achieving the goal, providing another key market for trade diversification, she added.

Meanwhile, Australian Minister for Trade and Tourism Senator Don Farrell affirmed that bolstering Australia’s trade with Southeast Asia, including Vietnam, is a top priority of the Australian government, stating stronger trade with Vietnam means more jobs, and better wages for workers in the horticulture industry.

Passion fruit has become the fifth fruit of Vietnam to be officially exported to Australia, following mango, longan, lychee, and dragon fruit. Currently, the fruit is available in over 60 countries and territories globally.

Source: VOV