Australia suspends Vietnamese pomelo imports over biosecurity concerns

Australia has suspended imports of fresh, whole pomelo fruit from Vietnam for an initial period of six months due to biosecurity concerns. The decision by the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) follows an in-country audit conducted in August that identified failures in pest management and documentation.

According to Vietnamese agricultural officials, the inspection revealed that some farmers in registered growing areas did not meet requirements for controlling pests. Issues included incomplete production logs, inconsistent pest-monitoring records, and improper trap placement. Additionally, some packing facilities failed to meet documentation and storage requirements.

DAFF reported that 70 percent of Vietnamese pomelo consignments since April had shown symptoms associated with pests. While the detected pests were not among those specifically subject to Australian quarantine concerns, the findings indicated that systems were no longer being managed to provide an appropriate level of protection.

Consignments already in transit or certified prior to the suspension will be managed through verification inspections upon arrival. However, pomelos certified on or after the effective date will be subject to export or disposal. Citrus Australia expressed support for the move, stating that protecting the nation’s A$1.1 billion citrus industry from potential exotic pest incursions must be prioritized.