Passionfruit from Vietnam

We are conducting a risk analysis for fresh passionfruit (Passiflora edulis) from Vietnam for human consumption.

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 Vietnam requested market access for fresh passionfruit. 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 have completed a preliminary assessment of the pests of potential biosecurity concern associated with passionfruit from Vietnam 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 other horticultural goods
• there are appropriate risk management measures already established for these pests or pest groups.

Announcement

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

Trade

Australia-Vietnam trade

Vietnam is Australia’s 13th largest trading partner with two-way goods and services totalling $15.8 billion in 2020-21.

Passionfruit industry in Vietnam

In 2019, the total growing area was reported to be approximately 10,500 ha, with most passionfruit grown in the central highland and northern mountainous regions. In 2019, annual production was reported to be 222,200 tonnes. Fruit are harvested year-round, however the main harvest season in northern areas is from May to December.

Most passionfruit are consumed as fresh fruit in Vietnam, however small unspecified volumes of fresh and frozen passionfruit are exported to a range of markets in Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

Passionfruit industry in Australia

In 2020-21 the Australian passionfruit industry produced over 5,000 tonnes of passionfruit at a value of $24.2 million.

Most of Australia’s passionfruit is grown in Queensland, including in the Cooktown/Daintree, Mareeba, Wide Bay, and Sunshine Coast regions. Passionfruit is also grown in the Tweed Valley region of NSW, with smaller volumes grown in other mainland states and the Northern Territory.

Australian passionfruit is grown year-round with peak production from December to September. The total growing area for passionfruit in Australia in 2019 was approximately 280 ha.

There is currently little Australian passionfruit export activity. However, driving long-term domestic and export growth is a priority for the industry.

Next steps

We will:

1. review the science on pests and diseases of concern
2. assess and analyse the biosecurity risks
3. develop a draft report, which will propose risk management measures (if required) to manage the identified biosecurity risks.

We will then release the draft report for a 60-calendar day public consultation period. We plan to release the draft report for public consultation in 2023. Please note that this is an indicative timeline and may be subject to change.

Keep informed

Register as a stakeholder

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Contact us

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