AN agreement five years in the making will see Aussie peaches and nectarines re-enter Vietnam.
The federal government recently signed off on technical negotiations between the two countries, which will reopen the export destination after it was shutdown by Vietnamese authorities in 2015 who requested a phytosanitary protocol be put in place.
Vietnam is Australia's seventh largest market for agriculture, forestry, and fisheries products with a two-way trade valued at $4.39 billion 2021 split 77/23 in Australia's favour.
Federal agriculture minister David Littleproud said Vietnam was a priority market for premium Australian fresh fruit.
"The growing middle class there has a strong demand for high quality, affordable and convenient fresh foods, a demand our farmers are able and willing to meet," Mr Littleproud said.
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"My department is now working with industry to enable trial exports by the end of this season before fully opening the trade for the start of next season."
According to the recently released 2020/21 Australian Horticulture Statistics Handbook, for the year ending June 2021, Australia produced 85,819t of nectarines and peaches, valued at $236m with 16 per cent sent to be processed.
Australia exported 13,187t for the same period, with more than half (54pc) sent to China.
Summerfruit Australia chair Andrew Finlay welcomed the achievement, thanking all those who played a part in achieving the access.
"After the COVID pandemic put a stop to face-to-face meetings, negotiations continued, via video conference and the Australian agriculture counsellor based in Vietnam," Mr Finlay said.
"As part of the process we worked with DAWE and a number of growers, packers, exporters and treatment facilities to undertake a 'virtual visit' of the authorities from Vietnam."
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