Vietnam: Fruit exports to U.S. halted as coronavirus keeps inspecting officials away
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Topics: VIETNAM FRUIT U.S.
Ngo Tuong Vy, deputy director of fruit exporting company Chanh Thu based in the province of Ben Tre, said she has not been able to send a single consignment in the last 20 days since the US Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has withdrawn its personnel due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
She was referring to the fact that they went home when the outbreak began and have not been able to return since: "American experts have not been able to travel to Vietnam due to the limited number of flights, and therefore all exports of fruits must be suspended."
If the delay continues, she could lose the U.S. market to other countries since supermarkets there could seek alternative suppliers, she said. Other exporters feared the situation could persist until the end of the year. ■