Taste Of Australia Series: Fruits, Dairy and How Australian Products Are Helping Shape Vietnamese Eating Culture (E2 Recap)
The second episode focuses on fruit and dairy products. | Source: Bobby Vu for Vietcetera
While the word “brunch” was coined in the 1890s, it’s been popularized by today’s Millennials. This phenomenon, which rose from people’s increasingly hectic lifestyles, has paved the way for new culinary trends —parfaits, for example.
In the second episode of the Taste of Australia series by Vietcetera, host Hao Tran, entrepreneur and environmental speak Helly Tong and Austrade Senior Trade Commissioner Rebecca Ball start their conversation with some cups of yogurt, — which as Helly points out, is “perfect for breakfast and can sustain you for the rest of the day.”
But not all yogurt or any dairy and fruit products for that matter, are created equal. They need to be of high quality for them to be as nutritious as they should be. For products that come from Australia, excellence in quality is guaranteed.
The Land Down Under exports table grapes, oranges and mandarins, cherries — and soon peaches and nectarines — to Vietnam, responding to Vietnamese consumers' demand for fresh fruits that are clean, delicious, and grown and harvested sustainably.
And with over 5,700 dairy farms spread across eight unique regions, Australia’s dairy industry is one of the world’s safest and most abundant. In fact, Australia is the lead supplier of liquid milk in Vietnam, with 2020 imports reaching 19.7 million AUD worth of liquid milk — an astounding 35.3% market share of all imported liquid milk in the Southeast Asian country.
Shaping Vietnam’s eating culture
The likes of parfait or yogurts are relatively new to Vietnam’s pho-loving society. The locals love sipping hot noodle soups in the morning. But Helly says the arrival of fresh fruits from Australia has helped shape a new eating culture, as Vietnamese now eat grapes, berries and oranges for a morning energy boost.
The availability of these fresh fruits has also given Vietnamese consumers healthier choices, especially during the pandemic. Products that are high in protein, antioxidants and fiber and low in sugar have become even more popular — and necessary in every pantry.
Both Helly and Rebecca agreed that fruits coming from Australia are the perfect go-to products for those changing their eating habits.
- Grapes are known for their antioxidant quality with polyphenols. It’s jam-packed with nutrients that Australians call them ‘little globes of goodness,” shares Rebecca.
- And to sustain you throughout the day, it’s important that you go yogurt and cereal because they’ve got high protein and low release of sugar. The protein in these products is not just good for your teeth and the bones but also helps one maintain weight.
While Australia exports tens of thousands of tonnes of fresh fruits to Vietnam, these products do not compete with Vietnam’s local produce. According to Rebecca, Vietnam and Australia’s geographical differences enable them to harvest at different seasons.
“It’s important for trade partners. Our products come in to counter off-season, when there are no products in the market. So we’re not displacing local supplies.”
The milk markets
Still in the context of healthy eating, Rebecca further highlights the premium dairy products from Australia and how they’re processed and exported The Austrade senior commissioner says all dairy products produced in Australia undergo strict and well-regulated production to maintain integrity in the supply chain.
- All dairy farms in Australia adhere to strict, sustainable farming practices, as well as transparency to be able to trace back where the milk comes from. Australia uses clever QR codes through the milk production cycle to ensure safety and traceability
- Australia’s 5,700 dairy farms are unique in their ways of processing the products, but all the nutrient quality in the cows is incredibly high. The milk production in each farm is closely monitored, and is among the world’s most sustainable.
- As one of Australia’s most important rural industries, dairy has given the country an identity. Thanks to its consistent, high-quality production, Australia continues to supply dairy products to other countries, including Vietnam.
Exporting milk from Australia to Vietnam also answers evolving palates of the local consumers here. As Vietnamese discover dairies beyond powdered milk, products like yogurts, cheese and fresh milk offer great choices.
More of this fruit and dairy conversation below.