Passion fruit is the fifth fruit officially exported to Australia after mango, longan, lychee, and dragon fruit. Illustration photo: Internet

Complying with biosecurity requirements

Assessing the potential of passion fruit, Mr. Huynh Tan Dat, Director of the Plant Protection Department (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development) said that Vietnam has potential and advantages in tropical fruits. Currently, Vietnamese fruits are exported to more than 60 countries and territories. Passion fruit alone is exported to twenty countries, in many forms such as fresh fruit, frozen fruit, juice.

The soil has helped passion fruit grown in Vietnam have world-class quality and when exported to strict culinary markets such as Switzerland, France, the Netherlands, etc., they are all loved.

The area of ​​passion fruit cultivation is increasing, with an area of ​​more than 12,000 hectares, mainly concentrated in the northern mountainous region. Currently, passion fruit is interested by many provinces in the Central Highlands, expanding its area. In recent years, Vietnam has focused on improving quality, producing according to the chain, ensuring the traceability of passion fruit, focusing on two varieties of yellow passion fruit and purple passion fruit

To pave the way for the official export of passion fruit to Australia, many years ago, the Plant Protection Department began to prepare technical documents. After efforts in negotiation, market opening and close coordination between the two sides, passion fruit became the fifth fruit to be officially exported to Australia after mango, longan, lychee, and dragon fruit.

As a result, passion fruit harvested from growing areas in Vietnam can be imported into the Australian market but must comply with biosecurity requirements. In order to minimize pests (such as fruit flies, aphids, spiders, thrips, etc.) for exporting passion fruit, it is necessary to implement a number of risk management measures so that the growing areas, production areas, and production facilities are not infected with pests. In particular, the application of irradiation treatment is considered effective in pest control.

Must be carried out at an approved irradiation facility

According to the agreement on the Vietnam passion fruit export plan program to Australia (OWP), some biosafety import conditions (BICON) of Australia for Vietnamese passion fruit need to be noted. Specifically, passion fruit including the whole fruit including peel, fruit flesh, seeds, with or without a small stem (maximum 3cm) produced commercially in Vietnam are allowed to be exported to Australia for consumption purposes. Passion fruit gardens exported to Australia can be registered according to the instructions in document No. 1776/BNN-BVTV.

Packaging facilities and processing facilities must be approved and registered according to the instructions No. 1776/BNN-BVTV on the registration and management process of gardens and packaging facilities for agricultural products for export. Passion fruit shipments exported to Australia must be carried out at an approved irradiation facility, with a minimum absorbed irradiation dose of 400 Gy.

At the same time, it is necessary to conduct plant quarantine inspection before export according to the provisions of Circular No. 33/2014/TT-BNNPTNT and national technical regulation QCVN 01-141:2013/BNNPTNT. If the quarantine objects are found to be fruit flies, mealybugs, and bark borers, continue to treat with irradiation. If the objects are found to be thrips or spiders, the shipment will be discarded or re-treated and re-inspected.

To ensure full compliance with the requirements on plant quarantine and food safety for passion fruit exported to Australia, the Plant Protection Department will coordinate with specialized agencies in localities to disseminate regulations on plant quarantine and food safety; provide guidance on establishing and granting codes for growing areas and facilities for packing passion fruit for export, etc

According to Mr. Andrew Goledzinowski, Australian Ambassador to Vietnam, the trade relationship between agricultural products, including fruits, between the two sides has continuously developed in recent times. Many quality fruits from this country have appeared in the market of the other country. Accordingly, agricultural trade cooperation between Vietnam and Australia has nearly doubled in the past two years with a turnover of about AU $65 billion.

Currently, Vietnam is Australia's second largest trading partner after China in agricultural exports. Vietnam is a major partner with many frozen and processed agricultural products exported to Australia. In addition to promoting and opening the market for passion fruit and plum, in the coming time, the two countries will continue to complete the final stages so that Vietnamese grapefruit and Australian blueberries will be available in the partner market.