Vietnamese pomelo gets set for US markets

Vietnam will begin exporting pomelo to the U.S. in the next two months, adding one more to the list of six fruits that have gained entry to one of the most difficult markets in the world.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Tran Thanh Nam said at a forum Friday that exporters should work with domestic phytosanitary authorities to complete the needed paperwork.

It was also revealed at the forum that coconut is set to become the eighth fruit to make its way from Vietnam to the U.S., following mango, longan, lychee, dragon fruit, rambutan and star apple.

Vietnam has over 105,000 hectares dedicated to pomelo cultivation with a yield of 950,000 tonnes.

Vietnam's exports of vegetables and fruits to the U.S. in the first 11 months rose 33 percent year-on-year to $203 million.