Vietnamese lichi will be present at the US market. — File Photo

HA NOI (Biz Hub) — The United States has announced it would be importing fresh litchi and longan fruits from Viet Nam beginning October 6.

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) approved the importation last September 4. The fruits will be subjected to a systems approach that includes requirements for treatment and inspection and restrictions on distribution.

As a condition for entry, the fruits must be grown in orchards registered with and monitored by the National Plant Protection Organisation (NPPO) of Viet Nam, to ensure that these are free of disease.

A farmer at his longan garden. The fruits for export must be grown in orchard registered with and monitored by the National Plant Protection Organisation (NPPO) of Viet Nam, to ensure that these are free of disease. — File Photo

The fruits should also undergo irradiation treatment to neutralise all plant pests of the Class Insecta, except pupae and adults of the Order Lepidoptera.

A phytosanitary certificate from the NPPO confirming that the requirements have been met should accompany each fruit consignment.

Viet Nam expects to export 600 tonnes of litchi and 1,200 tonnes of longan to the US. The litchi exports are expected to make up about 17 per cent of average annual US imports from 2007 to 2010, and the longan, about 69 percent. — VNS