Vietnam resumed exports of fresh fruits to the US recently after an interruption since early August due to the pandemic. Because of the outbreak, APHIS personnel stationed in Việt Nam returned home in March, resulting in a stoppage in irradiation and inspection of fruits.
Hoang Trung, Director of the Department of Plant Protection, expressed the hope that from now to the end of this year, the US will complete the procedures to allow the import of Vietnamese pomelos. US grapefruits will also be approved for import. Currently, there are six types of fresh fruits of Vietnam exported to the US, including dragon fruit, rambutan, mango, longan, star apple, and lychee.
Although the Covid-19 pandemic affected many import and export activities, more than 5,000 tons of fresh fruits exported to the US from the beginning of this year to the end of August, an insignificant decrease compared to that of more than 6,000 tons of fresh fruits in the same period last year.
Mr Hoang Trung said that at present, Son Son Irradiation Center is the only facility in Vietnam recognized by the US to have qualified for the handling of fruits. An irradiation center has been built in Hanoi, and it is in the process of being tested to receive recognition by the US. The Son Son Irradiation Center handles 100 tons of fruits a day. Meanwhile, it is currently only using about 30 percent of its capacity every day, so it does not affect the fruit export progress.
