Joint media release: Plum deal for Australian stone fruit growers

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, the Hon Julie Collins MP
Minister for Trade and Tourism, Senator the Hon Don Farrell

The Albanese Labor Government has secured another win for Australia’s horticulture industry, with new market access to Vietnam adding our high-quality plums to existing trade for peaches and nectarines.

The development is part of a two-way agricultural market access agreement that provides Australian plums to Vietnam and Vietnamese passionfruit to Australia.

Australia’s agriculture, fisheries and forestry exports to Vietnam were worth $3.7 billion in 2023-24, with growing trade for stone fruit to further solidify the relationship with our sixth largest export market. 

This outcome supports the agricultural industry’s aim to grow towards becoming a $100 billion sector, and the Australian horticultural sector’s aim to become a $20 billion business by 2030. 

The next pairing on the trade agenda are Australian blueberries and Vietnamese pomelos, with negotiations well underway.  

Vietnam is a key diversification market for Australian exporters and focus of Invested: Australia’s Southeast Asia Strategy to 2040.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Julie Collins MP: 

“This new market access is a significant milestone for the stone fruit industry and for the Australia-Vietnam trading relationship.

“Accelerating mutual market access outcomes is a reflection of Australia and Vietnam’s strong bilateral relationship and drive to support our agriculture industries to capitalise on export opportunities.  

“The Albanese Labor Government is focused on opening doors for our agriculture industry, and this is a positive step in achieving this goal, providing another key market for trade diversification.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Trade and Tourism, Senator Don Farrell: 

“Boosting Australia’s trade with Southeast Asia, including Vietnam, is a top priority for the Albanese Government.” 

“More trade with Vietnam, means more jobs and better wages for workers in Australia’s wonderful horticulture industry.”