Import conditions for fresh longan fruit (Dimocarpus longan) from Vietnam have been published on our Biosecurity Import Conditions system (BICON). Importers can now apply for import permits.
The decision to commence imports will be a commercial decision between an exporter in Vietnam and an importer in Australia. The importer must meet the import conditions as set out in BICON.
When we do a risk analysis, we:
- review the science on pests and diseases of concern
- assess and analyse biosecurity risks
- develop proposed risk management measures, if required
- consult the public on the draft report and then review comments
- publish the final report
- verify that the country can meet the recommended biosecurity requirements
- develop import conditions
- publish import conditions in our Biosecurity Import Conditions system (BICON).
About the risk analysis
We initiated this risk analysis because Vietnam requested market access for fresh longan fruit. Learn more about why we carry out risk analyses and our international obligations.
This risk analysis was conducted in accordance with Section 174 of the Biosecurity Act 2015. This is because we conducted an assessment of the potential quarantine pests associated with longans from Vietnam and found that:
- the pests of concern were the same, or of the same pest groups, as those pests that had been assessed previously for other horticultural goods
- there are risk management measures already established for these pests or pest groups.
Final report
Summary of the final report
We recommend that the import of longans from Vietnam be permitted provided they meet the biosecurity import conditions. All imports must come from commercial production areas of Vietnam.
Pests
Eleven quarantine pests and two regulated articles (regulated thrips) associated with longans are present in Vietnam, and need risk management measures to reduce the risk to an acceptable level. These pests are:
Quarantine pests:
- Fruit flies: guava fruit fly (Bactrocera correcta), Oriental fruit fly (Bactrocera dorsalis)
- Mealybugs: grey pineapple mealybug (Dysmicoccus neobrevipes), cocoa mealybug (Exallomochlus hipidus), litchi mealybug (Planococcus litchi), Pacific mealybug (Planococcus minor), coffee mealybug (Planococcus lilacinus), intercepted mealybug (Paracoccus interceptus), aerial root mealybug (Pseudococcus baliteus) and citriculus mealybug (Pseudococcus cryptus)
- Borers: litchi fruit borer (Conopomorpha sinensis).
Regulated articles:
- Thrips: chilli thrips (Scirtothrips dorsalis) and onion thrips (Thrips tabaci).
These thrips are regulated articles because they can carry and spread orthotospoviruses that are quarantine pests for Australia.
Risk management measures
We recommend a range of measures to reduce the risk of these pests arriving in Australia via the longan fruit pathway.
- For fruit flies: area freedom or fruit treatment (such as irradiation or cold disinfestation treatment).
- For mealybugs and thrips: pre-export visual inspection and, if found, remedial action.
- For litchi fruit borer: area freedom, fruit treatment (such as irradiation or cold disinfestation treatment) or a systems approach.
Your feedback on the draft report
Based on stakeholder comments, and a review of scientific literature, we have made a number of changes to the risk analysis. These changes include:
- the addition of two species of mealybug, Planococcus angkorensis and Pseudococcus baliteus (aerial root mealybug), to the pest categorisation table (Appendix A)
- Planococcus baliteus was assessed further in the mealybug pest risk assessment and now requires risk management measures.
- amendments to the assessment of Zeugodacus cucurbitae (melon fly)
- This species is now considered not to be associated with the longan fruit pathway and does not require risk management measures.
- minor corrections, rewording, and editorial changes for consistency, clarity, and web–accessibility.
A summary of key technical comments raised by stakeholders and how they were considered can be found in Appendix B of the final report.
Download final report
If you have difficulty accessing these files, visit web accessibility for help.
Draft report
We released the draft report on 10 December 2018 for a 75 calendar day public consultation period, closing on 25 February 2019.
Trade
Australia-Vietnam trade
Australia and Vietnam have a strong two-way trade relationship. In 2017/18, Vietnam was Australia’s seventh largest market for Australian agricultural exports. In 2017/18, total trade with Vietnam was valued at $9.89 billion.
Vietnam is a major market for Australian crustaceans, wheat and live animals. In 2017/18, total Australian agricultural exports to Vietnam were valued at approximately $1.9 billion.
Longan industry in Vietnam
Fresh longan fruit in Vietnam is typically based on small orchard production. Longan fruit is produced all year round in the southern regions with production peaking in June and July. In the northern regions the peak production season is from July to August, with some newer cultivars harvested up to early September. In 2014, Vietnam produced over 515,100 tonnes of fresh longan fruit. Vietnam currently exports longan fruit to many countries including China, Singapore, Malaysia and the United States of America.
Longan industry in Australia
In Australia, fresh longan fruit are often produced in the same orchards as lychee fruit. Production primarily occurs in Queensland (95% of domestic production), as well as northern New South Wales (FAO 2002). The Australian longan season is usually between January and mid-June.
The Australian longan industry is small and primarily focused on domestic fresh fruit supply. However, in the last five years Australia exported longan fruit to French Polynesia, Canada, Nauru and Papua New Guinea.
Keep informed
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Contact us
For more information, email imports or phone 1800 900 090 (option 1, option 1).