The only fruit that only Vietnam has, America has to buy

Currently, Vietnam is the only country in the world that chooses star apple as an export commodity.

Following the Vietnamese fruits that have been officially allowed to be imported into the US market, including dragon fruit, rambutan, lychee and longan, the US Department of Agriculture has just allowed the import of Vietnamese star apple into the US, expected from the fourth quarter of this year. Currently, Vietnam is the only country in the world that chooses star apple as an export commodity.

Star apple

In the Federal Register on July 19, 2016, the US Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) under the US Department of Agriculture stated: At the request of the Plant Protection Department of Vietnam, the US Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has completed a Pest Risk Analysis Report to assess the risks associated with importing fresh star apples from Vietnam into the continental United States.

Based on this Analysis Report, APHIS concludes that fresh star apple fruit from Vietnam is safe for import into the continental United States and determines that the application of only one or more specific phytosanitary standards could reduce the risks of introduction or spread of plant pests or diseases associated with the importation of fresh star apple fruit from Vietnam.

These standards are: Fresh star apples may only be imported as commercial goods; Each export shipment of fresh star apples must have a Phytosanitary Certificate issued by the Plant Protection Department of Vietnam.

Each export shipment of fresh star apple fruit must be properly handled in accordance with Title 7, Part 305 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR); and each export shipment of fresh star apple fruit is subject to inspection upon arrival at the port of entry into the United States.

According to the Wikipedia encyclopedia, Vietnam is the only country in the world that chooses star apple as an export commodity. Other countries such as Cambodia, the Philippines, India, Thailand, and the Northern Territory (Australia) all grow star apple trees, but they do not choose them as an export commodity but only for domestic consumption.

To promote the Vietnamese star apple brand, the Southern Fruit Research Institute (SOFRI) and the Vietnam Record Book Center (VietKings) have officially proposed to the Asia Record Organization and the World Record Organization to set the record "Vietnam is the only country in the world exporting star apple".

There are many varieties such as Lo Ren star apple, purple brown star apple, yellow star apple... Among them, Lo Ren star apple is especially grown the most, because Lo Ren star apple has a thin, shiny skin, a lot of flesh, sweet and fragrant flavor, many nutrients, and is loved by many people.

Countries around the world highly appreciate the quality of Lo Ren star apples in Vietnam. In recent years, to be exported abroad, Vietnamese star apples must meet GlobalGap standards. This has been successfully done by Lo Ren Vinh Kim Star Apple Cooperative (Tien Giang) for many years on 55 hectares of star apples, yielding 400 tons/year.

Every year, the Lo Ren Vinh Kim Star Apple Cooperative exports over 10 tons of star apples to the UK and Canada. In addition, the Cooperative also exported 50 tons of star apples to Russia and Germany in 2012. Along with Lo Ren star apples, two types of star apples, Bo com vang (Dong Thap) and Bo hong (Ben Tre), are also being exported abroad.

According to VOV