(VAN) First pomelo shipment to the Australian market not only marks a new milestone for Dong Thap’s fruit sector but also opens up significant opportunities for the locality.
Dong Thap takes pomelos to conquer a demanding market
On April 13, the People’s Committee of Dong Thap province, in coordination with Blue Ocean Import-Export Trading JSC, held a ceremony to announce and export the first batch of pomelos to the Australian market. This marks an important milestone, affirming the ability of Viet Nam’s pomelo sector in general to meet stringent international standards.
Australia has long been regarded as one of the world’s most demanding markets in terms of plant quarantine, biosecurity, and traceability requirements. Therefore, the official entry of Vietnamese pomelos into this market is the result of persistent negotiations and thorough preparation.
Leaders of Dong Thap province, businesses, and delegates take part in the ceremony announcing the export of Vietnam’s first pomelo shipment to Australia. Photo: Le Hoang Vu.
According to Ms. Pham Thi Ngoc Thach, Director of Blue Ocean Import-Export Trading JSC, Viet Nam and Australia signed an agreement on October 9, 2025, allowing the import of fresh pomelos. Immediately afterward, the company quickly completed technical procedures covering cultivation areas, harvesting, post-harvest handling, and packaging to fully meet Australia’s strict requirements.
Beyond the first shipment, the company aims to expand internationally certified production areas and work with local agricultural authorities to establish additional growing area codes and packing facilities. It also seeks to strengthen linkages with cooperatives and farmers to ensure stable supply, high quality, and transparent traceability.
Le Chi Thien, Deputy Director of the Dong Thap Department of Agriculture and Environment, said the province currently has about 4,364 hectares of pomelo, with an annual output of over 65,000 tons. The locality has been granted 23 growing areas, totaling more than 470 hectares, with 31 codes.
Of these, 16 growing areas with 22 codes are qualified for export to markets such as the U.S. and South Korea, covering about 249.4 hectares. Notably, Dong Thap now has its first pomelo growing area eligible for export to Australia, an important foundation for further market expansion in the coming period.
Dong Thap pomelo products are packaged according to export standards and displayed at the event, ready to enter the Australian market with strict requirements on quality and traceability. Photo: Le Hoang Vu.
Successfully conquering the Australian market not only enhances the value of pomelos but also helps position Dong Thap’s agricultural brand on the global map. This also serves as a driving force for the local agriculture sector to further reorganize production in a more concentrated, synchronized, and professional manner.
In its upcoming direction, the provincial agriculture sector will continue to strictly manage growing area codes and packing facilities; promote the application of science and technology; and improve food quality, safety, and traceability. These efforts aim to strengthen competitiveness and meet the increasingly stringent requirements of import markets.
According to Mr. Thien, in the context of deepening integration, close linkages among enterprises, cooperatives, and farmers will be the key to building a sustainable value chain. With this, Dong Thap pomelos will not only reach the Australian market but also expand further, helping elevate the Vietnamese fruit brand in the global market.
Mr. Le Chi Thien, Deputy Director of the Dong Thap Department of Agriculture and Environment, said the province currently has its first pomelo growing area qualified for export to the Australian market. Photo: Le Hoang Vu.
Expanding doors for Vietnamese fruits
According to Nguyen Quang Hieu, Deputy Director General of the Plant Production and Protection Department (MAE), Australia is a high-standard market. Therefore, any product that can gain access to this market also has the opportunity to expand into other destinations.
This serves as an important stepping stone for Vietnamese fruits to continue conquering even more demanding markets in the future.
Currently, pomelo is the sixth Vietnamese fruit permitted for export to Australia, following dragon fruit, lychee, longan, mango, and passion fruit. The country has about 100,000 hectares of pomelo cultivation, with an annual output of around 1 million tons.
Vietnamese pomelos are now present in 14 countries and territories, including the U.S., South Korea, and New Zealand, with export turnover of about USD 72 million, ranking ninth among the country’s key fruit export products.
Representative of Blue Ocean Import-Export Trading JSC signs a memorandum of understanding with My Phong Cooperative on linking pomelo supply chains for export to the Australian market. Photo: Le Hoang Vu.
Notably, in the first two months of 2026, pomelo export turnover reached USD 13.8 million, up 30% year-on-year. This figure highlights the strong potential of the pomelo sector amid growing international market demand.
Mr. Nguyen Quang Hieu emphasized that Dong Thap’s successful export of its first pomelo shipment to Australia carries not only commercial significance but also affirms the right direction in agricultural restructuring toward higher quality, greater added value, and sustainable development in the locality.
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