Viet Nam has become the first country allowed to export star-apple fruit to the United States. The breakthrough follows 10 years of negotiations.

This follows a report sent by the US Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to the Viet Nam Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development’s Plant Protection Department.

The breakthrough was based on the findings of a pest-risk analysis and public reviews and comments that found the fruit could be safely exported into the US.

Together with litchi, longan, rambutan and dragon fruit, star-apples are the fifth Vietnamese fruit allowed into the American market.

The requirements for entry are similar to quarantine for the other fruits, including the growing area. The shipments are subject to inspection upon arrival.

The US requires mandatory pest control for eight pests, mainly fruit flies and aphids.

In addition, the star-apples must meet requirements for the importation of vegetables and fruits into the US market in accordance with the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)’s Article 319.56-3.

Each batch of fruit must have a plant quarantine certificate issued by Viet Nam Plant Protection Department.

Star-apples are highly valued by US importers for their quality.

Preliminary statistics show that Viet Nam has about 5,000 hectares of star apples, mainly in the Mekong Delta provinces of Tien Giang (3,100ha) and Can Tho (1,200ha).

Fruit productivity is about 18-22 tonnes per hectare. Total annual output is more than 60 thousand tonnes. Until now, most of the fruit has been either eaten locally or exported to China and ASEAN nations.

The successful export of the fruit to the US market opens up great opportunities to develop growing areas. — VNS