An ACIAR-funded project is set to explore opportunities to enhance Vietnam's citrus production and exports. Citrus represents over 21% of Vietnam's fruit sector, with a notable increase in export value in recent years, particularly for pomelo and lime. The Vietnamese government aims to expand citrus exports further. However, smallholder farmers face challenges such as substandard varieties and seedlings, pest and disease infestations, soil degradation, and market volatility, leading to high tree mortality and negative returns.
Ms Irene Kernot highlighted the impact on farmers, stating, "These ongoing challenges make farmers reasonably cautious about further investments in citrus." The project, led by Vietnamese research partners, will adopt a holistic approach to address these issues and develop a research roadmap for the sustainable growth of the citrus industry, supporting Vietnam's citrus development ambitions at the national level.
Source: aciar.gov.au