๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ฟ๐ฎ๐น๐ถ๐ฎ ๐ฆ๐๐๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ป๐ฑ๐ ๐ฉ๐ถ๐ฒ๐๐ป๐ฎ๐บ๐ฒ๐๐ฒ ๐ฃ๐ผ๐บ๐ฒ๐น๐ผ ๐๐บ๐ฝ๐ผ๐ฟ๐๐ ๐
Australia has temporarily suspended imports of fresh whole pomelo from Vietnam for six months, effective from 15th September, after pest and disease symptoms were identified in imported consignments and an audit raised concerns about the export-control systems supporting the trade.
The decision comes only months after Vietnamese pomelo gained access to the Australian market in April.
The suspension applies specifically to fresh, whole pomelo fruit grown and produced in Vietnam. Under the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry notice, imports are not permitted during the suspension period and import permits granted under the Biosecurity Act are treated as suspended.
Consignments already in transit are not simply ignored. They will be managed on arrival through verification inspection, with remedial action applied where necessary under Australiaโs biosecurity requirements. DAFF has also confirmed that affected fruit has been either re-exported or destroyed at the importerโs expense.
Vietnamese authorities have reported several issues identified during an Australian inspection of growing areas and packing facilities in Ho Chi Minh City, Vinh Long Province and Can Tho City.
Including…
โข Inconsistent pest-control practices in some registered growing areas.
โข Incomplete production logs and pest-monitoring records.
โข Inconsistent trap placement, trap density and monitoring periods.
โข Incomplete records and document storage at some packing facilities.
โข Weaknesses in maintaining and verifying registered growing-area and packing-facility conditions.
Vietnamese authorities also reported that approximately 70% of consignments had shown symptoms associated with plant pests since exports began.
The Australian citrus industry was valued at approximately $1.2 billion in 2025, making it our most valuable fruit-production sector. Citrus Australia has welcomed the suspension.
Australian growers have expressed concern that overseas pests and diseases could affect the broader citrus sector, even if they arrive through a product that is grown commercially only in relatively small quantities in Australia.
DAFF has said it was reassured that the affected consignments did not involve detections of Huanglongbing, also known as citrus greening disease, or citrus canker, two serious threats to citrus production.
Vietnamese authorities have begun reviewing registered growing areas and packing facilities and are expected to require corrective measures before follow-up inspections take place.
The six-month period will allow DAFF to review the Vietnam pomelo import pathway and work with Vietnamese authorities on corrective actions. The suspension could be extended if the identified shortcomings are not satisfactorily addressed.
๐ธ and ref C Tue at Tuoi Tre newspaper
