Generic yellow mangoes

Vietnamese mangoes officially began export to the US yesterday after gaining access in 2017. A ceremony was held in Hanoi between the Plant Protection Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Office of the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to recognise the event.

Deputy minister of agriculture and rural development, Le Quoc Doanh said the shipment has affirmed the brand, quality, and reputation of Vietnamese agricultural products in general, and fruits in particular.

Vietnamese mangoes sent to the US must first be irradiated, quarantined and granted phytosanitary certificates by APHIS.

Doanh said the US is a demanding market in terms of quality, food safety and hygiene. He stressed the need for localities, enterprises and farmers to follow the cultivation process to grow fruit that is productive and safe.

Vietnam produces nearly 50 different varieties of mango across 90,000ha of land, totalling up to 800,000 tonnes each year.