The announcement was made at the “AgriConnectioNZ: New Zealand and Viet Nam – Strategic Partners in Agriculture Expo” in Hanoi.

Prime Minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern speaks at the event

The signing ceremony was witnessed by the New Zealand Prime Minister, along with New Zealand Minister of Agriculture, Trade and Export Growth Hon Damien O’Connor and Vietnam Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Mr Le Minh Hoan.

Vietnam and New Zealand signed a cooperation agreement to export Vietnamese lemons and pomelos

Pomelo and lime are the fourth and fifth fruit able to be exported from Viet Nam to New Zealand, after mango, dragon fruit and rambutan.

In the New Zealand – Viet Nam Strategic Partnership Action Plan, both countries agreed to encourage further growth in two-way trade, and signing of the Export Plan for Vietnamese citrus is an important step forward.

New Zealand Ambassador to Viet Nam, Her Excellency Tredene Dobson said today’s event marked a milestone in the agricultural co-operation between the two countries: “Agriculture is not just a critical component of our two countries’ economies – it is part of our cultural identity.

“New Zealand and Viet Nam are natural partners in the agriculture sector as we navigate a changing world that presents great challenges and even greater opportunity.

“We’re excited to welcome Vietnamese pomelos and limes into New Zealand, and we look forward to future opportunities to supply more of our delicious, high-quality fruit to Viet Nam.”

According to MARD Minister Le Minh Hoan, “This new Access for Viet Nam’s pomelos and limes to New Zealand will be good news for Vietnam’s exporters and is important in reinforcing the two-way nature of trade between New Zealand and Viet Nam in agricultural commodities.”

Prime Minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern discussed with Mr. Nathan Flowerday, Zespri Director at the event

The AgriConnectioNZ Expo also brought together participants from relevant government departments, research institutions, and top agricultural and export companies from both New Zealand and Viet Nam to showcase how New Zealand’s technical expertise and innovation in the agriculture sector can help support Viet Nam’s agriculture sector to be more internationally competitive.

The Expo was organised by the New Zealand Embassy to support the Government of Viet Nam’s goal to enhance the quality and productivity of its agricultural sector.

Two-way trade between New Zealand and Viet Nam has grown 40  percent in the last five years to reach $2.3 billion New Zealand dollars in 2022 and Viet Nam was New Zealand’s 14th largest trading partner.

Nathan Flowerday, Zespri Director shared: “Joining this special event, it’s our pleasure to share our learning and experience with Vietnamese farmers and businesses to help them enter the world market, especially dragon fruit businesses. Being one of the top 20 “Golden Brands” in 2021 and our achievements in Vietnam market in the 13 years, Zespri believes that our sharing would be helpful for Vietnamese Agriculture businesses to improve their value chain for export”