Vietnamese passion fruit, coconut get green light to enter Australia, China

The Plant Protection Department received a notice from the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) regarding the draft report on import requirements for fresh Vietnamese passion fruit in the market.

The DAFF said that fresh Vietnamese passion fruit may be allowed to be imported into the Australian market providing that the fruit fully complies with biosecurity requirements.

The DAFF report also identified 11 pests that pose a biosecurity risk, including fruit flies, aphids, spider mites, and thrips. In order to reduce these risks, the report proposes a number of risk management measures, including the establishment of pest-free production regions.

Furthermore, the application of irradiation treatment is widely considered to be an effective measure with regard to the management of fruit fly species.

Meanwhile, the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) also unveiled that it would conduct a field inspection for Vietnamese planting regions and packaging facilities of fresh coconuts registering for export to the Chinese market.

The move aims to complete a pest risk analysis for fresh coconuts and provide a basis for the signing of the protocol moving forward.

Accordingly, the GACC’s examination will take place in mid-August via an online platform, field inspection, and relevant documents.

This is considered to be a positive sign for Vietnamese agricultural products as they seek to expand markets, said the Plant Protection Department.

Localities are required to urgently review coconut growing areas and packaging facilities, as well as preparing sufficient dossiers and documents for the upcoming inspection.