Following technical negotiations, the Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the US Department of Agriculture are finalizing legal procedures to permit the import of Vietnamese passion fruit into the US. This development is anticipated to generate export revenues of US$50-100 million.
Ho Bao, director of Van Xuan Agri JSc, noted that Vietnamese enterprises have been exporting the fruit to Europe for over a decade, implying readiness to adhere to US market standards. Nonetheless, the requirement for irradiation treatment for fresh fruits entering the US, which comes with high costs, may affect their market competitiveness against South American counterparts.
One of the challenges highlighted is the fruit's short shelf life, making air freight, at approximately US$3 per kilogram, the only viable shipping option and impacting competitiveness. Bao expressed optimism about the potential market expansion in the US and the positive impact on export revenue if storage technology advancements allow for sea transport.
Dang Phuc Nguyen of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association (Vinafruit) emphasized the consistent ranking of passion fruit among Vietnam's top export fruits, with an export value of over US$222 million in 2023. The US market is viewed as a significant opportunity for both fresh and processed passion fruit products from Vietnam.
With nearly 9,500 hectares dedicated to passion fruit cultivation and an annual output of nearly 190,000 tonnes, Vietnam stands among the world's top 10 passion fruit producers and exporters. The fruit is exported to markets with strict quality and safety standards, including Australia, France, and China.
Nguyen Manh Hieu highlighted the support from the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the Swiss Government in a project aimed at enhancing Vietnam's capacity to meet international standards, which includes applying advanced preservation technologies to extend the shelf life of passion fruit.
Source: VOV.vn