Standardizing Vietnam’s pomelo value chain to capitalize the Australian market

From cultivation to cold chain - standards for every steps

Vietnam is taking a major step forward in its journey toward global agricultural integration as a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for pomelo exports to Australia has been completed, marking the country’s effort to standardize every stage of the value chain, from cultivation and pest monitoring to post-harvest handling, packaging, and cold-chain logistics.

According to Mr. Nguyen Manh Hieu, representative of the Vietnam Institute of Agricultural Engineering and Post-Harvest Technology (VIAEP), the SOP was developed under the Vietnam GQSP Project jointly implemented by UNIDO, VIAEP, and the Plant Production and Protection Department (PPPD). It draws from procedures that have proven successful in exports to the U.S., EU, and Canada while updating biosecurity, safety, and traceability requirements in line with the standards of Australia’s Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF).

Mr. Hieu emphasized that standardization is not only a technical matter but also a demonstration of Vietnam’s growing capacity in quality management for agricultural exports. Pomelos exported to Australia must comply with the Operational Work Plan 3.0 and Biosecurity Import Requirements, in which every step, from cultivation and pest control to irradiation, is digitized and updated on the Farmdaily platform for electronic verification and traceability.

“We cannot go global if every link in the value chain operates independently. This SOP is a roadmap that aligns farmers, cooperatives, and enterprises toward one international standard”, he noted.

The SOP consists of four sections corresponding to the four stages of the pomelo’s journey: cultivation, pest surveillance, post-harvest handling and packaging, and cold-chain transport. Each stage translates Australian import requirements into specific operational procedures, ensuring that every fruit exported from Vietnam meets quarantine, food safety, and quality standards.

In the cultivation stage, orchards must obtain a Plantation Unit Code (PUC), be free from quarantine pests, maintain pesticide residues within Australia’s Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs), and record all data electronically. Trees must originate from certified disease-free sources and apply Integrated Pest Management (IPM), prioritizing biological control and minimizing chemical use.

The pest surveillance and control stage is considered critical, as Australia enforces strict regulations on fruit flies, mealybugs, and thrips. All monitoring data are uploaded in real time to Farmdaily, enabling authorities to promptly track, isolate, and handle any emerging pest outbreaks.

During post-harvest and packaging, facilities must have a Packing House Code (PHC) verified by PPPD. Pomelos are washed, air-dried, coated with natural preservatives, labeled with QR codes for traceability, and irradiated at a minimum of 150 Gy before being sealed under quarantine supervision. Packaging uses five-layer cartons with ventilation holes, moisture resistance, and clear printed codes (PUC–PHC–TFC) to indicate the complete supply chain journey.

The final stage, cold-chain transport, is decisive for ensuring product quality upon arrival in Australia. Containers must be pre-cooled and maintained at a stable temperature of 8–10°C and humidity of 85-95%, equipped with automatic tracking devices. “Stability, continuity, and transparent traceability” are the core principles of this process, ensuring that each pomelo reaches Australian consumers with its freshness and signature flavor intact.

Standardization production chain to expand market and concretize branding

Mr. Hieu explained that developing and implementing the SOP not only enables compliance with Australia’s stringent standards but also paves the way for entry into other high-demand markets. “From our success in the U.S., EU, and Canada to Australia, we are gradually defining the quality identity of Vietnamese agricultural products - transparent, safe, and sustainable”, he said.

Alongside the SOP rollout, UNIDO and VIAEP continue supporting businesses through Training of Trainers/Experts (TOT/TOE) courses on cultivation, processing, cold-chain management, and traceability, as well as providing on-site technical experts. Consistent adoption of the SOP helps cooperatives, farmers, and enterprises integrate seamlessly into global supply chains where every step is standardized and closely monitored.

While research institutes and businesses refine the technical aspects, quarantine authorities are also actively shaping the legal framework for this process. Mr. Tran Van Chien, Deputy Director of the Post-Entry Plant Quarantine Center No. 1, observed: “The Australian market is known for its rigorous standards, but it also sets benchmarks for other markets. Once recognized here, Vietnamese pomelos can confidently enter other premium destinations”.

To implement the bilateral Operational Work Plan 3.0 between PPPD and DAFF, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, through PPPD as the focal point, is working with research institutes, businesses, and local authorities to organize training sessions and disseminate technical requirements to cooperatives and growers. The Department is also developing user-friendly manuals and video guides to make SOP compliance more accessible. These resources will be publicly available on PPPD’s official portal, enabling localities to prepare orchards and packing facilities that fully meet import partner requirements.

According to Mr. Chien, exporting pomelos to Australia carries significance beyond commerce, it demonstrates the credibility of Vietnam’s plant quarantine system in the global integration process. “When standards become a common language, each container of Vietnamese pomelos bound for Australia carries not just fruit, but our confidence in Vietnam’s quality management capabilities”, he said.

By standardizing production, handling, and transport procedures, Vietnamese pomelos are not only overcoming technical barriers in one of the world’s most demanding markets but also paving the way for other fruits, such as dragon fruit, mango, and passion fruit, to gradually reach global markets under a unified national standard. When these standards are localized and sustainably maintained, Vietnam will truly master the “global language” of agricultural trade.