A ceremony was held on September 9 to announce the export of Vietnamese passion fruit to Australia and the import of Australian plums to Vietnam, the Government News has reported.

Passion fruit is the fifth fresh Vietnamese fruit licensed to enter the Australian market, following mango, longan, lychee, and dragon fruit.

The event was jointly organized by the Plant Protection Department, under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), and the Australian Embassy in Viet Nam.

Vietnamese fruits have been exported to over 60 nations and territories over the world, according to the MARD.

Total fruit export revenue reached $4.63 billion in the first eight months of 2024, up 30.6% year-on-year.

Vietnam currently has nearly 9,500 ha of land under passion fruit cultivation, producing nearly 190,000 tons annually. Passion fruit is among the 18 fruit varieties with an annual production output exceeding 100,000 tons.

Vietnam ranks among the top 10 largest producers and exporters of passion fruit in the world, after Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.

Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Andrew Goledzinowski said that Vietnam and Australia have enjoyed fruitful partnership in trading agricultural products, including fruits.

The two countries will continue to complete the final stages of the deal so that Vietnamese grapefruit and Australian blueberries will be available in the respective partner market, he said.