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| Illustrative photo (Source: nld.com.vn) |
After more than five years of negotiations, America's summer specialty, peaches and nectarines, have officially entered the Vietnamese market.
Susan Burns, the U.S. Consul General to Ho Chi Minh City, stated that in July, the Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development granted approval for the import of U.S. peaches and nectarines, following years of effort from both sides. This marks the first time Vietnamese consumers have the opportunity to enjoy fresh, delicious peaches and nectarines from the U.S.
These fruits are considered "America's summer specialty" due to their renowned juiciness and flavor.
According to Susan Burns, Vietnam is the ninth-largest agricultural market for the U.S., and the U.S. is the second-largest agricultural export market for Vietnam. The total agricultural trade between the two countries surpassed USD5.5 billion in 2023.
Caroline Stringer, Trade Director of the California Fresh Fruit Association, noted that California is currently the only U.S. state authorized to export peaches and nectarines to Vietnam. Vietnam is the 41st market for these fruits.
“This market access is a big win for our two nations. Vietnam’s citizens will now have access to high quality and delicious California peaches and nectarines, and producers in the United States have new markets to sell their produce,” said USDA’s Jenny Lester Moffitt, Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs. “The United States and Vietnam have been strong trading partners, and this is yet another example of our work is facilitating safe and resilient trade.”
In the September 2023 Joint Leaders’ Statement on the Elevation of U.S. – Vietnam Relations, both nations pledged to create favorable conditions and facilitate the further opening of markets for each other’s goods and services, supporting trade and economic policy, and regulatory measures to achieve this aim. Last year, the United States granted market access to Vietnamese coconuts. U.S. peaches and nectarines will be available in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City in the coming weeks./.