According to a press release published by the Australian Embassy in Vietnam on Wednesday, fresh dragon fruit is one of the agricultural products given top priority to access Australia. Earlier, the country completed its preliminary evaluation of pests and diseases on the fruit through cooperation between the two Governments. In the coming months, the two sides will join hands to identify risks, with the participation of Australian experts, in judging dragon fruit production and export processes. A draft report outlining the risks will be announced at the end of this year for stakeholder consultations. The Australian Embassy in Vietnam also said that the country is promoting the review process for shipments of other fresh fruit from Vietnam. Last year, some 28 tonnes of fresh Vietnamese lychees were sold in the Australian market. The first batch arrived in the country in May 2015. Australia also accomplished risk evaluation for Vietnamese mangos last November.
