Vietnam considers Australian fruit import suspension
After dealing with years of headaches forming a new protocol to regain Thai market access, the Australian horticultural industry may face new non-tariff challenges in another South East Asian market.
Orange-based Caernarvon Cherry Co general manager Alan Bramble told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) he received an email from a Vietnamese importer stating the government would not allow the country's fresh fruit as of Jan. 1, 2015.
The importer told Bramble they were shocked and unable to accept the unreasonable decision.
"At this stage, I don't believe our customer has been advised why," Bramble was quoted as saying.
"The last thing we need now is our exports drying up."
The story reported that the Department of Agriculture (DoA) confirmed Vietnam had "raised concerns with Australia's fruit fly management systems and is considering suspending trade in Australian fruit".
A DoA spokesperson told the agency that Australia was working with Vietnamese authorities to provide more additional information about fruit fly management and control.
The story reported the market was worth AUD$40 million, including grapes and cherries.
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