The Plant Protection Department of Vietnam and the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency of the Republic of Korea have in principle agreed on criteria and requirements for Vietnamese pomelo to enter the Korean market, said Nguyen Quang Hieu, deputy director of the Plant Protection Department.

The two sides are expected to complete negotiations in July, paving the way for the Vietnamese fruit to enter the Korean market, said Hieu on July 19.

According to the official, the RoK, a market of 50 million consumers, is considered a potential market for Vietnamese products, including pomelo. The RoK’s import of Vietnamese pomelo will help to increase the fruit’s export turnover, thereby turning it into a key agricultural export product of the country.

Local businesses should gain greater insights into the latest regulations set by the Korean side and abide by requirements in terms of growing areas and packaging facilities in order to make further inroads into the market, suggested Hieu.

The Plant Protection Department reported that fresh Vietnamese pomelo has been exported to 12 countries and territories globally.

The fruit has recently been licensed for export to the United States and New Zealand markets via official channels. Last year witnessed Vietnam rake in about US$45 million from exporting the fruit to foreign markets.

Experts have stated that Vietnamese pomelo is anticipated to officially gain access to the Australian market in early 2025.

Currently, Vietnamese pomelo plantations cover 105,400ha in total, yielding nearly 905,000 tonnes annually. The Mekong Delta region has a pomelo growing area of ​​about 32,000 hectares with an output of 369,000 tonnes. In addition, this is also the locality where green-skinned pomelo is mainly grown.

VOV