Australian blueberries gain access to Vietnam with reciprocal access for Vietnamese pomelo

Australia and Vietnam have celebrated a new trade milestone with the two countries signing reciprocal market access protocols for Australian blueberries and Vietnamese pomelo.

The agreements were signed by Australia’s Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and Vietnam’s Plant Production and Protection Department in Hanoi on 9 October 2025.

The event was attended by representatives from the Australian and Vietnamese governments who celebrated the new deals. According to a report from SGGP, Australia’s ambassador to Vietnam, Gillian Bird, said the agreements were a testament to the long-standing agricultural partnership between Vietnam and Australia.

“Today’s agreements reflect our shared commitment to advancing agricultural trade and ensuring consumers in both countries have access to fresh, high-quality produce,” said Bird.

The Australian blueberry industry welcomed the news, peak industry body Berries Australia said access would create new export opportunities for Australian blueberry growers. 

“Vietnam is a very exciting market for us with an estimated value of A$4mn in the first year, growing to approximately A$22mn within five years, which would effectively double the industry’s current export value,” Berries Australia said in a statement.

“Vietnam market access presents a fantastic opportunity for the blueberry industry, as it has a growing middle class who actively seek out high-quality imported fresh fruit. Vietnamese consumers have a well-established preference for branded, premium fruit with exceptional freshness and flavour aligning perfectly with Australia’s reputation for superior blueberry production.

“Australian blueberry production has seen significant growth over the last 25 years from A$24mn to A$505mn, however, most produce is consumed domestically, so this will be a game changer for the sector. Access to Vietnam offers Australian growers the opportunity to showcase their ultra-premium berries to an entirely new audience.”

Pomelo is the sixth Vietnamese fruit to gain access to Australia after dragon fruit, lychee, longan, mango and passionfruit

Vietnam’s deputy minister of agriculture and environment, Hoang Trung, said the opening of the Australian market for pomelo demonstrated Vietnam’s increasing reputation and phytosanitary capabilities.

Vietnam completed a stringent risk assessment process for its pomelo, which took nearly two years. Trung said the country’s agricultural industry not only strives to meet Australia’s export standards but also to upgrade its entire production chain from plant varieties and plantation management to post-harvest technology.

“This is an important milestone in the integration process, and at the same time opens up new opportunities for Vietnamese fruits to penetrate deeper into other high-end markets,” he said. 

“The Australian market is a measure of integration capacity and a launching pad for Vietnamese agricultural products to be directed to other fastidious markets.”

To ensure full compliance with Australia’s phytosanitary and food safety requirements for pomelo exports, Vietnam’s Plant Production and Protection Department stated that it will collaborate with local agencies to provide training and education, as well as assist with the certification of growing areas and packing facilities for export.

Australian industry excited by blueberry opportunity

The Australian fresh produce industry shared its enthusiasm about the breakthrough, with many groups noting the potential for blueberry export growth and the role Vietnam can play in this. 

Hort Innovation CEO Brett said the landmark agreement was underpinned by Hort Innovation investments via industry levies and contributions from the Australian government into research and the benefits were set to be wide ranging. 

“The signing of this protocol is an important step forward, enhancing the industry’s competitiveness both internationally and domestically. This new market access presents an opportunity to tap into Vietnam’s increasing demand for premium, high-quality imported fresh fruit, for which Australia is so well known,” said Fifield.

CEO of Australian Fresh Produce Alliance Claire McClelland also welcomed the agreement and said it showed the importance of continued government focus on securing technical market access deals for fresh produce.

“Vietnam represents an important and growing market for Australian fresh produce. Securing access for blueberries provides growers with an opportunity to supply high-quality fruit into a market where demand for premium produce is rising rapidly,” said 

“Trade outcomes like this are vital for the fresh produce industry. Expanding export options supports the viability of our growers, helps create jobs in regional communities, bolsters local economies, and contributes to stable domestic prices and supply resilience.

“Agriculture minister Julie Collins has been a strong supporter of expanding and improving market access for Australian fresh produce, and this latest win for blueberries is further proof of what can be achieved when industry and government work in partnership.”

Collins said work on securing the two-way agreement commenced in 2022 and spoke to the strong and positive relationship between the two nations.

“Australia’s hardworking, innovative blueberry producers should be proud of the fruit they grow, which is sought after all around the world. This agreement is a result of both the quality of our produce, and the strength of our relationship with Vietnam,” Collins said.