Vietnam grants market access to California peaches, nectarines

A Southeast Asian country has opened market access for some of the Golden State’s most popular fruit as part of an ongoing effort to normalize trade with the West.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that Vietnam has granted California peaches and nectarines access to its market, effective immediately.

Vietnam’s move eliminates barriers keeping California peaches and nectarines out of the Vietnamese market related to phytosanitary standards related to safe transportation of plants. The change required multiple rounds of technical negotiations over the course of several years.

“This market access is a big win for California’s nectarine and peach producers,” said USDA’s Jenny Lester Moffitt, under secretary for marketing and regulatory programs. “Our APHIS [Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service] trade team members have worked diligently to make this opened market a reality for Vietnam’s citizens. We are thrilled they will now have access to the fine peach and nectarine fruit that California produces.”

The Fresno County and Tulare County Agricultural Commissioner officers contributed to the process.

Strict production and packing protocols will be set in place, but with the success of existing export programs, the state’s stone fruit shippers have already displayed a commitment to meeting Vietnam’s requirements.

“This is a fantastic example of USDA scientists providing the quality and objective research that was essential for Vietnam’s approval and for future U.S. industry exports,” said Dr. Chavonda Jacobs-Young, USDA Chief Scientist and Under Secretary for Research, Education and Economics. “This new international market access underscores the critical value of federal scientific research and data to the overall food supply system.”

U.S. goods exports to Vietnam in 2022 were $11.4 billion, up 3 percent ($336 million) from 2021 and up 146 percent from 2012, according to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.