Farmers harvest lychee in Luc Ngan district, the northern province of Bac Giang (Photo: VNA)Hanoi (VNA) – Mango, longan and lychee exportershave received a boost now that a facility in Hanoi has been given the all clearto irradiate products before they are shipped to Australia.
The Australian Department of Agriculturerecently permitted the Hanoi Irradiation Centre to handle the lychee, mango andlongan destined for the country, according to the Plant Protection Departmentunder the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
The Vietnamese agency said it will work closelywith the Hanoi Irradiation Centre and companies to comply with Australia’srequirements.
It noted that to promote the shipment of freshfruits produced in the north to demanding markets, including Australia, it hasboosted negotiations with other countries to include the Hanoi centre among thefacilities eligible to handle fresh fruit for export.
Exporters usually have to send longan and lycheeto Ho Chi Minh City for irradiation since only the southern metropolis hadirradiation facilities recognised by Australia.
They said irradiation in the north will helpreduce transportation costs by at least 20,000 VND (over 0.8 USD) per kg andthe time by more than half a day, not to mention lower irradiation expenses.
So far, Australia has opened its market fordragon fruit, lychee, mango and longan from Vietnam, with the former handled bysteam and the latter by irradiation.
In the first quarter of 2020, Vietnam exported836 million USD worth of fruit and vegetables, a year-on-yeardecline of 10.9 percent, data from the agriculture ministry show./.
VNA
