The Australian Department of Agriculture and Water Resources has released the final report for the review of biosecurity import requirements for fresh dragon fruit from Vietnam which gives the go-ahead for imports.

Australia Ambassador to Vietnam, Craig Chittick said “We’re very pleased with this significant development. The Australian government looks forward to continuing to work with Vietnam in the next steps to make the import of Vietnamese fresh dragon fruit into Australia possible.”

Before trade can commence, the Australian and Vietnamese governments need to undertake a few more steps, including the establishment of standard operating procedures for the vapour heat treatment facility specific to dragon fruit and the finalisation of import conditions for dragon fruit from Vietnam.

Australia commenced work on market access for fresh dragon fruit from Vietnam into Australia in April 2016. Australian agriculture authorities visited major dragon fruit production areas in Vietnam in June last year to observe production systems and packinghouse operations.  The public consultation for the draft report for the review of biosecurity import requirements for fresh dragon fruit from Vietnam was completed in mid-November.

Australia is also progressing access for other types of Vietnamese fruits. The first consignments of Vietnamese lychees were exported to Australia in May 2015 and the first consignment of Vietnamese mangoes was exported to Australia in September 2016.