Joint media release: Sweet negotiations achieve access for Australian honey to Vietnam

Minister for Trade and Tourism, Senator the Hon Don Farrell
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator the Hon Murray Watt

Australia’s honey industry is set to flourish with new market access for the export of honey and edible apiculture products to Vietnam.

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Murray Watt welcomed this outcome in a meeting with Vietnam’s Minister Le Minh Hoan in March this year, held in the margins of the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit.

“Australia’s honey industry is a huge contributor to the Australian economy - exports to Vietnam will further contribute to this $14 billion per year industry,” Minister Watt said.

“Since I met with Minister Le Minh Hoan, trade has commenced, with 10 shipments landing in Vietnam – an unbeelievable outcome for our honey industry.”

“Rising incomes and a growing food manufacturing sector are expected to drive strong growth in consumption of agricultural products in Vietnam over the next decade and our world-renowned honey and apiculture products will now enjoy a seat at the table.”

Minister for Trade and Tourism Don Farrell outlined the Albanese Government’s support for Australian exporters through the $19m Southeast Asia Business Exchange. The government is also in the process of finalising upgrades to Australia’s free trade agreement in Southeast Asia.    

“Since the release of our Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040, we have seen a hive of business activity in Vietnam and right across the region,” Minister Farrell said.

“Our government is backing in our agricultural exporters to take advantage of opportunities in the region, including for our world-class honey producers.”

“Effective cooperation between Australia and Vietnam has continued to grow our mutually beneficial agricultural trade relationship, delivering strong results for both country’s producers and exporters,” Minister Watt added.

“In 2023, two-way trade in agriculture, fisheries and forestry commodities between Australia and Vietnam exceeded $6 billion.

“Our achievements aren’t just limited to trade. We’re working with our Vietnamese counterparts to improve biosecurity across aquaculture and plant health as well as cooperation and capacity building across a number of key sectors for Vietnam like rice.

“Our countries have a long history together, highlighted in the recent elevation to a bilateral Comprehensive Strategic Economic Partnership, and I know our partnership will continue to strengthen.” Minister Watt said.