Summerfruit exports to Vietnam have resumed, albeit after a bit of a false start.

In February last year, Andrew Finlay, chair, Summerfruit Australia Ltd said he “welcomed the achievement of a new protocol for Australian peaches and nectarines to Vietnam, which had been some five years in the making.

“I would like to thank all those who have played a part in achieving this market access, and who worked hard to negotiate a set of protocols agreed to by both countries,” Mr Finlay said.

“After the COVID pandemic put a stop to face-to-face meetings, negotiations continued, via video conference and the Australian agriculture counsellor based in Vietnam.

“As part of the process we worked with (Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environmentand a number of growers, packers, exporters and treatment facilities to undertake a ‘virtual visit’ of the authorities from Vietnam.”

In March/April 2022 five trial shipments of peaches and nectarines were exported to Vietnam. The shipments were irradiated under the protocol and the satisfied all aspects of the newly agreed protocol.

Mr Finlay said the 2022/23 season was the first full season for exports.

“Unfortunately, the industry faced one of its worst harvests with large volumes of rain, flooding of orchard both from the rain on property and river flooding, cool spring and summer temperatures and the odd hailstorm. As a result, the season was delayed and early season fruit did not reach the normally high quality.”

Overall, the volume of fruit exported was not up to the initial expectations but notwithstanding that 146 tonnes of Australian peaches and nectarines were exported to Vietnam. Other initiatives have now been put in place to further facilitiate trade.