Dragon fruit from the Philippines

We have released a draft report for fresh dragon fruit for human consumption from the Philippines.

Risk analysis

When we do a risk analysis we:

• review the science on pests and diseases of concern
• assess and analyse biosecurity risks
• develop proposed risk management measures, if required
• consult the public on the draft report and then review comments
• publish the final report
• verify that the country can meet the import conditions
• develop import conditions
• publish import conditions in our Biosecurity Import Conditions system (BICON).

About the risk analysis

We initiated this risk analysis because the Philippines requested market access for fresh dragon fruit. Learn more about why we carry out risk analyses and our international obligations.

This risk analysis is being conducted as a review of biosecurity import requirements. This is because we conducted an assessment of the potential pests associated with dragon fruit from the Philippines and have found that:

• the pests of concern are the same, or of the same pest groups, as those pests that have been assessed previously for dragon fruit and/or other horticultural goods
• there are appropriate risk management measures established for these pests or pest groups.

Draft report

We propose that the importation of dragon fruit from the Philippines be permitted provided they meet the biosecurity import conditions. All imports must come from commercial export production areas of the Philippines.

Pests

Eight pests associated with fresh dragon fruit are present in the Philippines and need risk management measures to reduce the risk to an acceptable level. These pests are:

• fruit flies: Oriental fruit fly (Bactrocera dorsalis) and melon fly (Zeugodacus cucurbitae)
• mealybugs: grey pineapple mealybug (Dysmicoccus neobrevipes), papaya mealybug (Paracoccus marginatus) and Jack Beardsley mealybug (Pseudococcus jackbeardsleyi)
• thrips: western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis), melon thrips (Thrips palmi) and chilli thrips (Scirtothrips dorsalis).

Risk management measures

We propose a range of measures to reduce the risk of these pests arriving in Australia via the fresh dragon fruit pathway. These measures are:

• for fruit flies
  • pest free areas, pest free places of production or pest free production sites, or
  • fruit treatment considered to be effective against fruit flies such as irradiation or vapour heat treatment
• for mealybugs and thrips
  • pre-export visual inspection and, if found, remedial action.

Make a submission

You are invited to:

• read the draft report
• submit your feedback through Have Your Say.

This consultation closes on 22 February 2023.

Have Your Say

We will consider your comments when preparing the final report.

Announcement

More information about this risk analysis is available in the Announcement Information Paper.

Trade

Australia-Philippines trade

The Philippines is a comprehensive trading partner with a longstanding agricultural trade relationship, supported by the ASEAN Australian New Zealand Free Trade Agreement. The two-way trade in agriculture, fisheries and forestry was valued at approximately AUD $1.7 billion in 2020-21.

Dragon fruit industry in the Philippines

The Philippines’ dragon fruit industry is a small but growing industry, increasing production from 256 to 2,090 tonnes between 2012 and 2021.

The production period for dragon fruit is between May and October, although it can extend into December with the use of artificial lighting. Growers, government and universities have partnered to improve production quality and yield.

The Philippines exports dragon fruit to several international markets.

Dragon fruit industry in Australia

In 2017 Australian dragon fruit production was estimated to be approximately 740 tonnes per annum. Most of Australia’s dragon fruit is grown in the Northern Territory and Far North Queensland.

Australian dragon fruit are marketed between October and April. The Australian dragon fruit industry is focussed on domestic supply, mainly to major city markets.

Next steps

Our public consultation will close on 22 February 2023.

After this we will:

• consider all feedback
• develop and publish a final report.

We will then develop import conditions, which will be published on our Biosecurity Import Conditions system (BICON).

Your feedback during the consultation period will help inform our final report for dragon fruit from the Philippines. We expect to release the final report in the second half of 2023. Please note that this is an indicative timeline and may be subject to change.

Keep informed

Register as a stakeholder

Subscribe to Biosecurity Risk Analysis Plant via our online subscription service to receive Biosecurity Advices and other notifications relating to plant biosecurity policy.

Contact us

For more information, email imports or phone 1800 900 090 (option 1, option 1).