Horticulture exports to Vietnam celebrated and reinforced with delegation visit

A delegation of blueberry producers and industry representatives visited Vietnam earlier this month to explore market opportunities on the back of interest from the country.

Austrade and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry backed the group which met with local industry representatives and visited markets and retail outlets to get a feel for the Vietnamese market and consumer preferences.

Berries Australia executive director, Rachel Mackenzie, said the opportunity for Australian blueberries was significant as Australia could provide premium fruit counter seasonally to existing suppliers such as the United States and New Zealand.

"Vietnam is a young market for blueberries but like consumers all over the world, Vietnamese consumers are embracing the amazing health benefits and becoming discerning blueberry consumers," Ms Mackenzie said.

Australian Blueberry Growers Association (ABGA) deputy chair and manager of the Costa Berry division, Christian Parsons, said the trip was an opportunity to build the profile of Australian blueberries.

"A visit to retail outlets and the market highlighted the size of the opportunity for Australian berries which can be air-freighted to Vietnam and are more premium than most of the currently available options," Mr Parsons said.

Only 2 per cent of Australian blueberries are exported.

"We are hoping to emulate the success of the table grape and citrus industries whose trade with Vietnam is now worth $83 millIon and $37 million respectively," Mr Parson said.

Berries Australia thanked the Australian Fresh Produce Alliance (AFPA) for coordinating the trade delegation.

OTHER commodities such as apples, pears, stonefruit and table grapes were also represented during the Vietnam visit which celebrated the two-way trading relationship between the countries.

This included hosting the Vietnam-Australia Fresh Produce Networking Event in Hanoi.

The event brought together local Vietnamese industry representatives and stakeholders with their Australian counterparts to celebrate the existing trade and discuss new opportunities and areas for cooperation.

In 2022, the value of Australian horticulture exports to Vietnam surged to $137 million, making it Australia's second largest export market for fresh produce by value.

AFPA CEO, Claire McClelland, said the rapid growth in trade to Vietnam was bolstered by recent new market access for Australian peaches and nectarines, with summerfruit exports now a $1.1 million market in only a few years.

"Growing fresh produce trade is how we will continue to grow our industry, support job creation, promote regional development and innovation and add more resilience to our local production," Ms McClelland said.

"Vietnam is a dynamic market with immense potential for Australian fresh produce.

"The wide range of industry travelling to Vietnam demonstrates to real potential to grow fresh produce trade from Australia.

"We are optimistic about new market access for Australian produce into Vietnam, and the opportunities that this would create for Australian growers."

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