A farmer takes care of his asparagus farn in Quang Ngai Province. Viet Nam could export asparagus to the Australian market this month. — Photo binhson.quangngai.gov.vn

Viet Nam could export asparagus to Australia this month, according to the Viet Nam Trade Office in Australia.

Finding that asparagus was appropriate for export to Australia, the trade office recently worked with importers in Australia to develop plans for importing this product.

This was an effort to diversify export markets for fresh fruits and vegetables from Viet Nam as exports of agricultural products declined due to the impact of the novel coronavirus epidemic (COVID-19).

Asparagus could be imported into Australia without negotiation to open up the market and licence. However, this product would be subject to checks to ensure biosecurity requirements.

Vietnamese asparagus exporters, cooperatives and farmers who met the Australia’s biosecurity requirements could contact the Viet Nam Trade Office in Australia at the email address au@moit.gov.vn for support in connecting directly with importers.

Australia mainly imported asparagus from Mexico and Peru. In 2019, this country imported nearly US$19 million worth of asparagus, according to statistics of the Australia’s International Trade Centre.

In Viet Nam, asparagus is mainly grown in Quang Nam, Quang Ngai and Binh Thuan.

It was essential to strengthen exports of agricultural products, especially those which did not require negotiation for market opening, the trade office said.

The trade office cooperated with Da Lat Import-export Company in Melbourne and Long An Province Department of Industry and Trade to export five million tonnes of red-flesh dragon fruit to Australia in February when fruit exports to China struggled due to the outbreak of the COVID-19.

Vietnamese dragon fruit was licensed for import into Australia in July 2017 after nine years of negotiations. — VNS