The approval was granted by the United States Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), allowing Toan Phat Irradiation Plant (TPI) to use X-ray technology for phytosanitary treatment of fresh fruit bound for the US market.
APHIS experts assess the X-ray system at Toan Phat Irradiation Plant (Photo: TPI).
TPI had previously been licensed to use gamma irradiation with Cobalt-60. With the latest approval, it is the first facility in Vietnam authorised to operate both irradiation technologies in parallel for fruit exports to the United States.
Vietnam's Ministry of Agriculture and Environment said the additional approval would give exporters greater operational flexibility, particularly during peak harvest periods when demand for quarantine treatment rises sharply.
TPI processed nearly 5,670 tonnes of fresh fruit for the US market using gamma irradiation in 2025. The company said the introduction of X-ray technology could nearly double the plant's processing capacity, helping accommodate growing export volumes.
Vietnam accounts for only about 1.49 per cent of total US imports of vegetables, fruit and processed products (Photo: Huan Tran).
The approval comes as Vietnam's fruit and vegetable exports continue to expand. According to the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetables Association, exports reached a record USD 8.5 billion in 2025, with shipments to the United States rising more than 50 per cent year on year to around USD 547 million.
Despite the strong growth, data from the United States International Trade Commission showed Vietnam accounted for only about 1.49 per cent of US imports of fruit, vegetables and processed products during the first 10 months of 2025, suggesting significant room for further market expansion.
