Northern Territory citrus growers are concerned that pending pomelo imports from Vietnam could lower local prices and introduce citrus canker, a bacterial disease that devastated the region's citrus plants before being eradicated in 2021. The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has recommended allowing imports from all commercial production areas in Vietnam, subject to biosecurity requirements.
Tropical Primary Products farm manager Han Shiong Siah said imports would flood the market and reduce prices, echoing the impact of Vietnamese dragon fruit imports that forced many NT farmers to stop growing that crop. Darwin dragon fruit grower Liza Nguyen said the dragon fruit sector was seriously impacted, with cheaper imports making it difficult for local growers to compete.
Citrus Australia, the industry body, initially opposed the imports, calling them an unacceptable biosecurity risk, but softened its stance after meeting with the agriculture department. Chief executive Nathan Hancock said the group hoped the department would adopt their mitigation recommendations, acknowledging that imports are inevitable given Vietnam's status as a trading partner.
A department spokesperson stated that the government would not compromise on biosecurity and that imports would only proceed after finalizing import conditions based on a rigorous, science-based assessment.
