New Zealand to help Vietnamese dragon fruit varieties go global

New Zealand Ambassador to Vietnam Tredene Dobson has recently discussed with Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper the two countries’ cooperation in economic recovery and agricultural development, spotlighting the island nation’s support in researching and commercializing Vietnamese dragon fruit varieties in the global market.

This supplied photo shows dragon fruits, Vietnam’s major agricultural exports to New Zealand. Photo: Tuoi Tre

In the run-up to the 2021 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, hosted by New Zealand earlier this week, Ambassador Dobson highly spoke of the thriving trade ties with Vietnam amidst the economic challenges resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“New Zealand’s exports to Vietnam have seen good growth in a number of sectors, particularly the food and beverage field, which experiences 25 percent growth,” the diplomat said.  

“Vietnam has grown its machinery exports to New Zealand by more than 28 percent over the last year.”

Ambassador Dobson highlighted that Vietnam is New Zealand’s 14th-largest trading partner and agriculture is among the leading sectors which contribute to the countries’ speedy economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.

“We have an agricultural cooperation arrangement which supports bilateral trade and is helping to reduce agricultural greenhouse gas emissions and promote food safety as well as rural development,” she said.

The presence of complementary agricultural products has also indicated the special agricultural strengths of the two countries.

“New Zealand’s kiwi fruit and apples have consolidated their position in the Vietnamese market,” she elaborated.

“Our cherries are also increasingly popular, especially during Tet, the traditional Lunar New Year holiday.”

New Zealanders savor nuts and tropical fruits from Vietnam, including its iconic dragon fruit and rambutan, she added.

Her country has a great development program which has been commercializing and getting the license trademark for three new dragon fruit varieties in Vietnam, with the support of New Zealand’s research institutes and expertise in fruit production.

“These high-quality new varieties are specifically designed to have strong disease resistance, increased storage life, and new colour and flavour profiles, promising to satisfy growers and customers in Vietnam and worldwide,” she said.

Vietnam and New Zealand established diplomatic relations in 1975 and have constantly consolidated their bilateral relationship.

The bilateral relationship entered a new chapter when the two countries upgraded their relations to a new high, from a comprehensive partnership to a strategic partnership in July 2020.

Dobson marked her official term in Vietnam by presenting her credentials to State President Nguyen Xuan Phuc on June 16, 2021.

She made an impression during the credentials presentation ceremony, wearing the traditional Vietnamese costume ao dai (long gown) with patterns representing the indigenous Māori people’s culture in New Zealand.

Prior to her appointment in Vietnam, Dobson managed the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s International Security Policy Unit, according to her profile on the ministry’s website.