The European Union (EU) began strict phytosanitary inspections on agricultural imports, including those originating from Vietnam, from September 1, according to the Plant Protection Department.

Cao Lanh mango in Dong Thap province 

The department has asked local plant quarantine sub-departments to step up inspections of each export batch, ensuring they are in accordance with plant quarantine rules of the EU.

 Regarding fresh citrus fruits and mangoes, they must be planted in certified orchards, and must not be affected by oriental fruit flies. 

 To assure traceability, information related to gardens without infection of oriental fruit flies and quality control parameters must be declared in plant quarantine certificates.  

 Vietnam is currently the second biggest ASEAN trade partner of the EU, which is one of the key trade partners of the Southeast Asian nation. Bilateral trade reached 55.8 billion USD in 2018.

 Experts have said that the EU is a promising market for Vietnamese fruit and vegetables, despite strict quality and food safety requirements. In the first half of 2019, Vietnam shipped 73.1 million USD worth of fruit and vegetables to the EU.