We are conducting a risk analysis for pomelo fruit from Vietnam for human consumption.
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 recommended risk management measures
- 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 pomelos. 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 pomelos 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. These pests include fruit flies, scale insects, mealybugs, thrips, spider mites and pathogens.
- appropriate risk management measures exist for these pests or pest groups.
Trade
Australia-Vietnam trade
- Vietnam is an important trading partner of Australia. Vietnam is Australia’s 12th largest 2-way trading partner in goods and services ($22.1 billion in 2021-22) and seventh largest market for agriculture, forestry and fisheries products ($3.2 billion in 2021-22).
Pomelo industry in Vietnam
- In 2020, Vietnam produced 903,200 tonnes of pomelos from a growing area of 105,800 hectares.
- Pomelo production in Vietnam is concentrated in the Northern Mountainous Midland, North Central and Red River Delta regions. Pomelos are harvested and exported year-round, with the peak harvest period between May and August.
- Most pomelos in Vietnam are consumed as fresh fruit in the domestic market, however fruit are also exported to a range of markets in the USA, Chile, Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
Pomelo industry in Australia
- Pomelos are a small but emerging segment of the Australian citrus industry. It is estimated there are 38.5 hectares of commercial pomelo orchards in Australia with annual production of around 1,000 tonnes.
- Pomelos are grown primarily in Far North Queensland, the Murray Valley region in New South Wales and Victoria, and the South Australian Riverland region. Pomelos are also commercially grown in the Northern Territory.
- Australian producers currently focus on supplying the domestic market.
Pomelo fruit imports
Australia permits the import of fresh pomelos from the United States of America (USA), Israel, Spain and New Zealand. All imports must meet Australia’s biosecurity import conditions.
Between 2018 and 2022, fresh pomelos have been imported to Australia from Israel (about 796 tonnes) and the USA (about 1,134 tonnes).
Next steps
We will:
- review the science on pests and diseases of concern
- assess and analyse the biosecurity risks
- develop a draft report, which will propose risk management measures (if required) to manage the identified biosecurity risks
- release the draft report for a 60-calendar day public consultation period. We plan to release the draft report in the first half of 2024. 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 select option 1, then option 1).