Apple and Pear Australia Ltd (APAL) has confirmed there are currently no bans for exporting fruit to Vietnam, but there are technical market access concerns that need to be addressed prior to the South East Asian country's new import regulations due to come into effect next year.

APAL made the announcement after a teleconference with the Australian Department of Agriculture (DoA), other peak industry bodies for horticulture, and the Office of Horticulture Market Access (OHMA).

During the call, the DoA added there were no bans on the issuance of import licences either.

In a release, APAL said The department was currently working with Vietnam to reassure it of the competency of Australia's widely recognized national systems to detect and manage fruit fly.

In 2013, Australia exported just 27 metric tons (MT) of apples to Vietnam and 81MT of pears. The release said Australia's apple and pear industry hoped to increase exports to Vietnam because of its potential as a high value market.

Related story: Vietnam considers Australian fruit import suspension

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