A five-year New Zealand Government-funded project to help Viet Nam build a more lucrative passionfruit export industry was formally launched by the Prime Ministers of Viet Nam and New Zealand in Wellington today.

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced the NZ$6.24m investment in Viet Nam’s horticulture sector, called the ‘Viet Nam Climate-Smart Fruit Value Chain project’, known as VietFruit.

The project is a key element within New Zealand’s international development cooperation framework with Viet Nam. It aims to support the Southeast Asian country’s agricultural sector, build its resilience to climate change and disasters, and help it develop a more highly skilled and educated workforce.

As a member, along with New Zealand, of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) free trade agreement, Viet Nam is becoming increasingly important as a trade partner. For instance, in the year ending June 2023, Viet Nam was the second leading export destination for New Zealand apples, after China.

Plant & Food Research will deliver the VietFruit project, drawing on its decade-long track record of problem-solving and achieving impact through the application of scientific knowledge in conjunction with Vietnamese partners.

“We have deep partnerships with organisations in Viet Nam and have created real value,” said Dr Suzie Newman, Head of International Development at Plant & Food Research.

“We have worked with smallholder farmers, agronomists, scientists, food companies, exporters and officials at Vietnamese Government Ministries like Agriculture & Rural Development (MARD) and Science & Technology.”

Source:  Plant and Food Research