Vietnam hopes to export fresh passion fruit to US next year

The U.S. is likely to be the next market for Vietnamese passion fruit after Australia, which approved imports in August this year, Tran Van Chien, deputy director of a plant quarantine center belonging to the plant protection department, said at a forum Friday.

If approved, exports to the U.S. can reach US$50-100 million annually, according to estimates by the Vietnam Fruits & Vegetables Association.

Vietnam has nearly 9,500 hectares under the fruit, mostly in the central highlands, which yield 190,000 tons annually. Around 80% of the output is exported.

Vietnam’s passion fruit exports (including fresh and frozen) reached $222 million last year.

Europe is Vietnam’s biggest market for frozen passion fruit.

Meanwhile, Vietnam is looking to export lychees to South Korea.

The country now exports 19 fresh fruits and other agriculture produce including dragon fruit, jackfruit, mango, longan, banana, and durian to markets such as China, the U.S., South Korea, Japan, the E.U., and Australia.

Its vegetable and fruit exports jumped by 28% to $6.6 billion in the first 11 months of this year, and are expected to reach a record $7.2 billion in the full year.

China accounted for 66.5% of the exports.